IgA nephropathy in a student naval aviator.

Microscopic hematuria is not infrequently seen in the aviator population. After appropriate evaluation, excluding renal biopsy, such a finding is commonly diagnosed as "benign microscopic hematuria," and no further action is taken. The clinical case presented here involves a student naval aviator whose only findings were microscopic hematuria and a unilateral high-frequency hearing loss. A renal biopsy was performed to rule out another diagnosis and IgA nephropathy was found incidentally. He was subsequently denied clearance to fly because of the uncertain outcome of the disease. Berger's disease is discussed fully as to its clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.