Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT) is one of the three most common lethal genetic diseases in the caucasian population (together with cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome). Its primary manifestation is early-onset panacinar emphysema. Slowly progressive dyspnea is the primary symptom, although some patients initially have symptoms of cough, sputum production, or wheezing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe presence of arterial aneurysm--an abnormal dilatation of an arterial segment due to various causes--might lead to compression effects and to various symptoms. Finding an etiology for unilateral hydronephrosis represents in some cases a real challenge for the clinician and targeted investigations must be ordered for the diagnostic approach. The abdominal ultrasound examination is one of the first imaging modalities but the abdominal computed tomography is helpful for definitive conclusions.
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