The histological patterns of chronic active hepatitis--excluding cirrhosis--and their prognostic significance.

In a retrospective clinico-pathological analysis of 30 cases of chronic active hepatitis, no significant correlation could be demonstrated between any histological feature and the end result of the evolution. The so-called "bridging" lesion, in particular, has no prognostic value. A possible effect of the therapy (cortico-steroids or not) on the final outcome could not be established. There is however a clearcut difference in the rate of development, be it favorable or not, between the slow progress of chronic aggressive hepatitis, and the rapidly changing subacute hepatitis. We therefore feel that such a distinction should be maintained, and question the nomenclature proposed by the International Association for Study of the Liver.