[Clinico-pathological study of a case of alpha chain disease].

A case of alpha-chain disease is presented. Diagnosis was clinched by the discovery of typical heavy alpha-chains on analysis of serum proteins. The clinical picture included non-gluten-dependent semi-coeliac malabsorption, Hippocratic fingers, flattened villi, plasma cell infiltration of the jejunal mucosa, alpha- and beta-globulin dysprotidaemia, and abdominal masses; these signs are indicative of, but not conclusive evidence of alpha-chain disease.