liquefaction necrosis

Death of tissue with enzymatic digestion of cells. Liquefaction necrosis is characteristic of focal bacterial infection because bacteria stimulate chemotaxis of leukocytes. For reasons unknown, hypoxic death within the central nervous system also induces liquefaction necrosis. Liquefaction necrosis develops over a period of hours. Contrast with coagulation necrosis.

References

Cotran et al Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 5th ed. W.B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, PA 1994 pg 15-16