1996 Volume 42 Issue 7 Pages 726-728
Angioneurotic edema (Quincke's edema) is characterized by localized swelling of sudden onset and rapid disappearance in the oral and facial region. Some cases may be associated with respiratory distress, caused primarily by laryngeal edema. Angioneurotic edema can be classified into hereditary type and nonhereditary type. Most cases are nonhereditary type, and the pathogenesis is unknown.
We report a case of angioedema in the tongue and oral floor that was probably caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The patient was a 64-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and hyper cholesterolemia. Her chief complain was swelling and an abnormal sensation of the tongue. Her family history was unremarkable. Laboratory examinations showed no abnormalities other than hyper cholesterolemia. We prescribed chlorpheniramine maleate, but angioneurotic edema was poorly controlled. One month later she complained of dyspnea and swelling. We gave methylprednisolone and stopped the ACE inhibitor that she was taking. Subsequently, chlorpheniramine maleate was switched to tranexamic acid.
There has been no recurrence of symptoms as 4 years after the termination of ACEinhibitor treatment.
