Clinical Immunology Review Series: An approach to the patient with angio-oedema.
Angio-oedema is a common reason for attendance at the accident and emergency department and for referral to immunology/allergy clinics. Causative factors should always be sought, but a large proportion of patients have the idiopathic form of the disease. A minority of patients represent a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Failure to identify the more unusual causes of angio-oedema may result in life-threatening situations. Common and rare causes of angio-oedema will be discussed in this article, as well as the diagnostic and treatment pathways for the management of these patients. A comprehensive history and close monitoring of response to treatment are the most cost-effective diagnostic and treatment tools.
Grigoriadou
S
S
Barts and The London NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
Longhurst
H J
HJ
D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000799:Angioedema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050718:Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
D000728:Androgens; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D050718:Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D006632:Histamine