The patient had lost weight and had a ruddy complexion. Histology Again, if the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease was suspected, a liver biopsy may not be performed. However, a biopsy may be useful at this stage to establish how much damage there has been to the liver. The photomicrograph below shows the appearance of this patient s liver biopsy. Some hepatocytes contain eosinophilic material called Mallory s hyaline .
Neutrophils surround the degenerating hepatocytes.
With complete withdrawal of alcohol and a good balanced diet some patients will eventually recover completely. However, in some the hepatitis will persist despite withdrawal of alcohol. Some patients will have developed a degree of fibrosis in addition to the hepatitis. Fibrosis is irreversible and the liver will never return to normal. 5 Years later History The same patient was admitted to hospital after vomitting blood and collapsing.