eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Allergy & Immunology

Angioedema, Acquired: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Warren R Heymann, MD, Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Coauthor(s): Amanda Carolfi, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 18, 2009

Differential Diagnoses

Angioedema, Hereditary
Urticaria, Contact Syndrome
Drug Eruptions
Urticaria, Dermographism
Urticaria, Acute
Urticaria, Solar
Urticaria, Cholinergic
Urticarial Vasculitis
Urticaria, Chronic

Other Problems to Be Considered

ACE inhibitor–induced angioedema
Episodic angioedema with angioedema
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Urticaria, cold

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Acquired angioedema type I (AAE-I) and Acquired angioedema type II (AAE-II)
    • Low C1-INH levels
    • Low C1q levels (except 1 reported case)
    • Low C4 levels
    • Low C2 levels
  • Acquired angioedema type II - Positive immunoblot assay findings for 95-kd C1-INH cleavage product

Imaging Studies

  • Abdominal radiographs may demonstrate features of ileus. Other findings may be referable to an associated illness.

Other Tests

  • Other laboratory findings are related to associated illnesses.

Histologic Findings

Histologic features include reticular dermal, subcutaneous, or submucosal edema without infiltrating inflammatory cells. Vasodilation may be seen.

More on Angioedema, Acquired

Overview: Angioedema, Acquired
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Angioedema, Acquired
Treatment & Medication: Angioedema, Acquired
Follow-up: Angioedema, Acquired
References

References

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  5. Leiden, The Netherlands. Biotech company Pharming Group NV ("Pharming" or "the Company") (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) today announces that, in agreement with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), the dossier for the European Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) of Rhucin(R) will be submitted in September 2009. CheckOrphan. Available at http://www.checkorphan.org/news/pharming_confirms_rhucin_european_maa_filing_timeline. Accessed 8/5/2009.

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Further Reading

Keywords

angioedema, acquired angioedema, AAE, Caldwell syndrome, acquired angioedema

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Warren R Heymann, MD, Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Amanda Carolfi, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Amanda Carolfi is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Medical Student Association/Foundation, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Paul Krusinski, MD, Director of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Fletcher Allen Health Care, University of Vermont
Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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