A 21-year-old male with throat swelling and difficulty swallowing

Abstract

Background: Angioedema is an extravasation of fluid into cutaneous, subcutaneous, or mucosal tissues. The condition has awide range of clinical presentations and possible etiologies. Isolated uvular angioedema, also termed Quincke’s disease, maybe idiopathic or a manifestation of hereditary angioedema, a medication reaction, food allergy, infection, trauma, inhalation, orgeneral anesthesia.

Case description: We report on a patient who presented to the emergency department with throat swelling and difficultyswallowing. The patient was admitted due to concern for epiglottitis and airway compromise. The patient quickly improvedafter receiving doses of an oral antihistamine and an inhaled corticosteroid and was discharged the next day. On assessment foretiology he had a very unlikely cause for his swelling.

Clinical implications: Angioedema of the oropharyngeal area is concerning for the development of airway compromise and mayrequire laryngoscopy. A thorough history, physical exam, and laboratory investigation differentiate angioedema from other causesof airway edema.