Korean J Med.  1999 Mar;56(3):373-377.

Reversible protein - losing enteropathy as a cause of severe hypoalbuminemia in a patient with multiple renal abscess

• Kim YO
• Min JK
• Song HH
• Park JM
• Yoon SA
• Oh SH
• Lee CD
• Bang BK

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.

Keyword

Renal abscess; Escherichia coli; Protein losing enteropathy; Hypoalbuminemia

MeSH Terms

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
Serum Albumin
Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin