Liver - Nodular Hyperplasia

• common senile change in old dogs

Gross

• multiple spherical nodules in the liver , varying from 0.5 - 3cm in diameter
• nodules are more friable than normal liver tissue
• vary in colour from pale to dark (yellow or reddish-tan) or can be the same colour as the rest of the liver
  • the yellowish colour is attributed to fatty change

Microscopically

• irregular orientation of the hepatic cords
• cells are larger, may contain more glycogen
• portal areas still visible within the mass
• compression of adjacent normal tissue

NB: nodular hyperplasia must NOT be mistaken for neoplasia!