California Abstract Two cases of hereditary angioedema and one of acquired angioedema are reported because of their unusual emergency department presentations. He subsequently underwent an unnecessary appendectomy. She was brought into the ED because of severe shortness of breath and had an emergent cricothyrotomy was performed in the ED because of upper airway obstruction and an inability to be intubated. Introduction Hereditary angioedema has been known to exist for over a century. It is only within the last 30 years, however, that the disease has been attributed to a C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency, transmitted as an autosomal dominant condition.
Hereditary angioedema is episodic and asymptomatic in most patients.
Hereditary and acquired angioedema are characterized by recurrent episodes of angioedema involving any part of the body. Laryngeal edema is common, and it is the major cause of death. Angioedema of the gastrointestinal tract frequently may mimic an acute abdomen, resulting in unnecessary surgery. The emergency physician should be aware of these conditions and should initiate prompt treatment in order to avoid unnecessary morbidity and death. The pain had a sudden onset and had been present for approximately one hour.