Pathology of the liver in copper overload

Abstract

Copper accumulation in the liver is associated with cellular and apoptotic injury. Wilson disease is the most well-characterized disorder of disordered copper metabolism. Other less-common disorders include Indian childhood cirrhosis, endemic Tyrolean infantile cirrhosis, and idiopathic copper toxicosis. The histopathologic spectrum of the liver in Wilson disease is extremely variable and overlaps among the different entities, though this review will focus on the pathology of Wilson disease. The findings lack specificity, although characteristic findings are observed. Unlike other disorders of copper overload, the pathologic changes are typically sequential, ranging from little or no significant findings to cirrhosis with or without widespread hepatocellular damage. Steatosis and glycogenated nuclei are frequent. Staining of copper is an unreliable method of diagnosis of Wilson disease, whether there are minimal histologic abnormalities or chronic liver disease. Copper and copper-associated protein accumulation may also be seen in chronic biliary obstructive processes.