Long-term sequellae of acetaminophen-associated fulminant hepatic failure: relevance of early histology.

We report a case of fulminant hepatic necrosis occurring in the setting of acetaminophen overdose and chronic alcohol use. The pathology of severe acute toxicity is documented with a surgical biopsy. Follow-up liver biopsy 4 yr later documents hepatic regeneration without cirrhosis. Maintenance of the hepatic reticulin framework in the face of acute hepatic necrosis was well documented, and may be a useful prognostic feature indicating a potential for the maintenance of normal hepatic architecture following regeneration.