Gupta PP et al. - We describe the case of a 24-year old male who had been a heavy smoker since the age of 9 and who presented with an 8-year history of respiratory symptoms. He was having treatment for asthma. Spirometric studies and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans confirmed COPD with centrilobular emphysema. His blood level of alpha-1-antitrypsin was within the normal range. Early onset emphysema in smokers with a normal alpha-1-antitrypsin has been previously described. However, this case is, as far as we know, one of the youngest cases ever reported.
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