title: Fatal and near fatal idiopathic anaphylaxis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document that idiopathic anaphylaxis may have a fatal or near fatal outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of selected cases seen personally by authors during the past 16 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  University faculty practice and private practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  All cases of idiopathic anaphylaxis seen by the authors are not presented, but 10 cases were selected to demonstrate two fatalities and eight cases of near fatalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two fatal cases had expired before emergency service therapy. Eight near fatal cases responded to acute therapy and subsequently were controlled. Remission of idiopathic anaphylaxis was then induced. Idiopathic anaphylaxis may be fatal or potentially fatal and must be treated to prevent a fatal outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The documentation of fatalities and near fatalities should help patients and their physicians accept intense management of idiopathic anaphylaxis that will result in control and induction of a remission in idiopathic anaphylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Greenberger
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Grammer
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate