ATRAUMATIC LOSS OF A KIDNEY IN A PATIENT WITH ALPHA(1)-ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY

alpha(1)-Antitrypsin (alpha 1PLT) deficiency is characterized by a hig h risk of developing pulmonary emphysema anti liver disease. Arteriopa thy may be associated with alpha 1AT deficiency. We present a patient with only one kidney and alpha 1AT deficiency, but only mild pulmonary symptoms and no signs of liver disease, and atraumatic loss of the re maining kidney. Histological examination of the renal artery showed de sposits of a mucoid ground substance in the arterial media, as has bee n demonstrated in other patients with alpha 1AT deficiency. After dial ysis treatment for 15 months, the patient underwent an uneventful kidn ey transplantation. The case draws attention to the awareness of compl ications of alpha 1AT deficiency even in cases with only mild pulmonar y manifestations of the disorder. To our knowledge, atraumatic loss of a kidney in a patient with alpha 1AT deficiency has not previously be en reported.