• Jamal Belkhouribchia, Thomas Backaert, and Stefan Neyrinck.
• Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
• J Emerg Med. 2016 Apr 1; 50 (4): 660-2.

BackgroundAngioedema is a condition that can cause cutaneous and mucosal edema of practically any part of the body. Isolated edema of the intestines is a rather rare manifestation, but it can cause important morbidity. Hereditary angioedema as well as certain medications can give rise to intestinal angioedema. We have seen a rise in frequency of intestinal angioedema since the advent of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Ultrasound of the abdomen is an inexpensive, safe, and easy tool that can help in the differential diagnosis.Case ReportWe describe the case of a 25-year-old woman who presented with acute abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with intestinal angioedema due to hereditary angioedema type I. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Misdiagnosis can lead to administering the wrong treatment or even unnecessary surgical interventions. Intestinal angioedema is best treated with purified C1-inhibitor, icatibant, or ecallantide. Fresh frozen plasma is to be avoided because it carries the risk of worsening the symptoms.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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