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. 2010 Sep;11(4):391-4.

Intestinal angioedema misdiagnosed as recurrent episodes of gastroenteritis

Edward J Locascio  1 , Simon A Mahler, Thomas C Arnold
Affiliations

Intestinal angioedema misdiagnosed as recurrent episodes of gastroenteritis

Edward J Locascio et al. West J Emerg Med. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

Emergency physicians (EP) frequently encounter angioedema involving the lips and tongue. However, angioedema from Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors or hereditary angioedema (HAE) can present with gastrointestinal symptoms due to bowel wall involvement. EPs should begin to consider this clinical entity as a potential cause for abdominal pain and associated gastrointestinal symptoms given the common use of medications that can precipitate angioedema. We report a case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea due to an acute exacerbation of HAE.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Computed tomography revealing small bowel mural thickening and submucosal edema (arrows).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
More cephalad section of the same computed tomography revealing areas of dependant ascites (arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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