A CASE REPORT OF HEREDITARY ANGIOEDEMA PRESENTING WITH INTESTINAL SYMPTOMS.

Abstract

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is the deciency or dysfunction of C1 esterase inhibitor.It may also occur due to increased activity of factor XII / estrogen levels or through an unidentied cause. It manifests the attacks of swelling involving the skin and /or mucosa or submucosa of different organs.The attacks may be a result of specic trigger or occur spontaneously.The intestinal angioedema is clinically presented with moderate or severe pain abdomen, associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or ascites. The 38 year old woman presents with abdominal pain diffuse associated with nausea, vomitings, lips and eyelids swelling.During this period, investigations were done which revealed a small amount of free intraperitoneal uid.Biochemical testing were performed which revealed C1 esterase inhibitor deciency, decreased C4 levels. She was then diagnosed as intestinal involvement with HAE. Late diagnosis is associated with high morbidity, therefore early recognition and investigation of HAE with involvement in intestinal patients with unexplained abdominal pain is important.