Histopathological features of early and late phases of chronic rejection
| Structure | Early chronic rejection | Late chronic rejection |
| Interlobular bile ducts, <60 μm | Senescence/atrophy affecting the majority of small ducts, but <50% duct loss | Duct loss in ⩾50% of portal tracts and senescence of remaining ducts |
| Hepatic venules/perivenular zone 3 hepatocytes | Mild perivenular fibrosis, ± intimal or luminal inflammation | Marked perivenular fibrosis; hepatic vein remodelling, ± inflammation |
| Hepatic artery branches in interlobular portal tracts | Missing interlobular artery in <25% of portal tracts | Missing interlobular artery in >25% of portal tracts |
| Hilar (large) hepatic artery | Foam cell arteriopathy with no significant narrowing | Foam cell arteriopathy with luminal narrowing/fibrointimal proliferation |
| Others | “Transition” hepatitis with spotty/lytic hepatocellular necrosis | Cholestasis, sinusoidal foam cell accumulation |
Table modified from that published by Demetris et al (2000).48