angioedema

Recurrent large circumscribed areas of subcutaneous or mucosal edema of sudden onset, usually disappearing within 24 hours; seen mainly in young women, frequently as an allergic reaction to foods or drugs. SYN: angioneurotic edema, giant hives, giant urticaria, periodic edema.

- hereditary a. an inherited, autosomal dominant disease characterized by episodic appearance of brawny nonpitting edema, most often affecting the extremities but can involve any part of the body, including mucosal surfaces such as those of the intestine (causing abdominal pain) or respiratory tract (causing asphyxia, which can require intubation to avoid fatal outcome). Associated with deficiency of inhibitor of first component of complement pathway (C1). Emergency treatment with epinephrine, long-term treatment with a variety of agents is effective.

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an·gio·ede·ma or Brit an·gio-oe·de·ma .an-jē-ō-i-'dē-mə n, pl -mas also -ma·ta -mət-ə an allergic skin disease characterized by patches of circumscribed swelling involving the skin and its subcutaneous layers, the mucous membranes, and sometimes the viscera called also angioneurotic edema, giant urticaria, Quincke's disease, Quincke's edema

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an·gio·ede·ma (an″je-o-ə-deґmə) [angio- + edema] a vascular reaction involving the deep dermis or subcutaneous or submucosal tissues, representing localized edema caused by dilatation and increased permeability of capillaries, with development of giant wheals. Urticaria is the same reaction occurring in superficial portions of the dermis. Type 3 is caused by a mutation in the F12 gene (locus: 5q33-qter),which encodes factor XII, and affects only women; it is precipitated or exacerbated by high estrogen levels. Called also angioneurotic edema and Quincke disease or edema.

(A), Angioedema of sudden onset; (B), complete resolution within 24 hours.