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[Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, liver cirrhosis and pulmonary emphysema (author's transl)]
Abstract:
It is well known that incidence of chronic obstructive lung disease in adult patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (ATD) is high. Adult carriers of this genetic trait with cirrhosis of the liver, and also with fibrosis of the liver and hepatoma, have been reported. A causal relationship between ATD and liver lesions has been suspected. In most cases liver disease has been recognized at post morten, - in a few cases, however, intra vitam, when severe symptoms of the liver disease had become apparent. The case of a 59 year-old patient is reported with PIZZ-homozygous ATD, moderate pulmonary emphysema and with marked portal fibrosis and focal transition in cirrhosis of the liver without any sequelae. The clinical course has been rather benign so far.