Abstract
A 42-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain, vomiting, and scrotal swelling. A computed tomography scan from abdomen to pelvis revealed unusual enteritis. We suspected a hereditary angioedema (HAE) based on the symptoms and the patient's past medical and family history. He had previously been diagnosed with this condition based on low levels of complement component 4 (C4) and complement factor 1 inhibitor (C1-INH) activity. HAE is a hereditary disease caused by a deficiency or a functional loss of C1-INH. It is characterized by paroxysmal episodes of edema involving the face, larynx, or bowels triggered by physical or psychological stress. Although HAE is rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with paroxysmal abdominal pain. We are reporting a case of HAE at our hospital with a review of the literature.
