Differential diagnosis of angioedema.
There are many conditions that may present with swelling that mimics angioedema. When swelling persists for greater than a few days or is unresponsive to treatment for urticaria/angioedema, other etiologies should be considered. In most instances, a thorough history and physical examination will define other etiologies. However, for more persistent conditions, further laboratory evaluation and a biopsy may be required to define the diagnosis. Rarely is a more aggressive approach required to make the diagnosis. Clinicians should remember that if the swelling does not act like angioedema, it more than likely is not angioedema.
Weldon
David
D
Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, College Station, TX 77840, USA. dweldon@swmail.sw.org
D000799:Angioedema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans