Angioedema hereditario

a 46 year-old woman affected by familiar, recurrent episodes of skin lesions with painful, occasionally pruriginous angioedema who had been hospitalized because of laryngeal compromise is presented. laboratory results include c3: 165.5 mg/dl, c4: 1 mg/dl, ch50 < 256 units, and c1 inhibidor 38 mg/dl. hereditary angioedema type i is diagnosed, patient is currently on treatment with anti-fibrynolytic and androgen, obtaining clinical improvement. a clinical emphasis in the diagnosis of hereditary angioedema is performed since misdiagnosis of this disease may lead to death as it happened to two patients's relatives. (acta med colomb 2012; 37: 34-37).