Noncirrhotic nodulation of the liver.

Nodular hyperplasia of the liver is characterized by small, uniformly distributed nodules that are delineated by marginal condensations of reticulin. There is no cholestasis and the liver is of normal size and shape. The cause is unknown, but it is not a precursor of cirrhosis, is not preneoplastic, and is not associated with contraceptive use. It is easily distinguished from adenoma, hamartoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and partial nodular transformation, all of which are focal lesions. Disorder in the terminology that now exists will be minimized by suggesting a new term only when a specific cause is identified or a morphologic feature is distinct.