Table 17.

Key points: Biopsy Interpretation

Hepatic biopsy interpretation should include a scored (mild, moderate, or severe) evaluation of type and degree of inflammation/degeneration (grade), fibrosis/nodularity (stage), as well as an evaluation of the copper staining pattern and a semiquantitative score of copper staining intensity. The presence of (pyo)granulomatous inflammation should prompt a search for an infectious etiology. An exchange of information between clinician and pathologist optimizes biopsy interpretation.