Hereditary angioedema: A rare cause of recurrent abdominal pain.

Abstract

Hereditary angioedema is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease which is characterized by an episodic, self-limiting increase in vascular permeability. Symptoms commonly involve in nonpitting, nonpruritic skin swellings. We present a case of hereditary angioedema. The patinets complained of a recurrent abdominal pain without accompanying skin swelling whose diagnosis was delayed nearly 20 years and accepted an unnecessary surgery. According to the decreased serum C1-inhibitor and C4 concentration, the patient was finally diagnosed with hereditary angioedema type I. After treatment with danazole, the patient reported a significant decrease in the frequency of attacks and the severity of pain. HAE is a rare cause of abdominal pain, however it needs to be taken as one of the differential diagnosis of various acute abdomens in order to avoid unnecessary surgeries.

• Authors: Xi Chen, Ying Xue Yang, Yu Lan Liu, Hua Tian Gan, Zhong Hui Wen
• Journal: Pakistan journal of medical sciences (Pak J Med Sci) Vol. 30 Issue 5 Pg. 1147-9 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1682-024X [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 25225545 (Publication Type: Case Reports)