Liver-Biopsy Specimen Liver Showing
Histologic and Biochemical Features of Glycogenic
Hepatopathy.
Hematoxylin-and-eosin staining (Panel A) reveals clear
cytoplasm, normal portal tracts, no fibrosis, and glycogenation of the nuclei (arrow), findings that may be
seen in glycogen storage disease, glycoprotein or glycolipid
storage diseases, glycogenic hepatopathy, and
steatosis. Periodic acid–Schiff staining is markedly
positive for the presence of glycogen (Panel B). With
the addition of diastase, which digests pure glycogen
but not glycoproteins or glycolipids, periodic acid–
Schiff staining is lost (Panel C), confirming the presence
of pure glycogen within the hepatocytes. Images
courtesy of Dr. Dominique Coco, Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, Department of Pathology.
