Reversible protein - losing enteropathy as a cause of severe hypoalbuminemia in a patient with multiple renal abscess.
- Author:
Young Ok KIM
1
;
Jun Ki MIN
;
Ha Hun SONG
;
Jae Myoung PARK
;
Sun Ae YOON
;
Soo Hyuk OH
;
Chang Don LEE
;
Byung Kee BANG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Radiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Renal abscess;
Escherichia coli;
Protein losing enteropathy;
Hypoalbuminemia
- MeSH:
Abscess*;
Escherichia coli;
Female;
Fever;
Flank Pain;
Humans;
Hypoalbuminemia*;
Kidney;
Liver Function Tests;
Middle Aged;
Protein-Losing Enteropathies;
Prothrombin Time;
Radionuclide Imaging;
Reference Values;
Serum Albumin;
Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
1999;56(3):373-377
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Protein-losing enteropathy is characterized by excessive protein loss into the intestinal tract in association with various disorders. We report a case of reversible protein-losing enteropathy as a cause of severe hypoalbuminemia in a patient with multiple renal abscesses. A 61-year-old woman presented with high fever and left flank pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed multiple abscesses in the left kidney. E. coli was cultured from her blood. Although hypoalbuminemia was severe (1.9 g/dL), the liver function tests including prothrombin time were normal and urine protein was negative. The results of 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy were compatible with protein-losing enteropathy. Alpha-1 -antitrypsin clearence was 89 ml/24 hours (normal range <13 ml/24 hours). After the renal abscess was improved with antibiotic therapy, serum albumin increased to normal range and protein-losing enteropathy disappeared.
