[Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestation and Management of Angioedema - Our Experience]

Angioedema is characterized by subcutaneous and/or submucosal swelling usually localized to the lips, eyelids, tongue, oral cavity, larynx and pharynx. Various types of angioedema, caused by different pathophysiologic mechanisms, can have the same or very similar clinical picture and require different diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The immediate threat to life as a result of rapidly developed edema of the pharynx and larynx with airway obstruction requires endotracheal intubation or emergency tracheotomy. Standard therapy, which includes epinephrine, second-generation antihistamines and steroids, is not effective in the treatment of all types of angioedema.

On the basis of the clinical presentation and course of angioedema, this retrospective study was aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of the disease and at helping determine the most effective available treatment modalities.

This retrospective study included patients treated under the diagnosis of angioedema of the upper aerodigestive tract between 2000 and 2012 in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center of Banja Luka.

A total of 76 subjects were included in the study. The average age was 62.8 years. There were 40 (52.6%) male and 36 (47.4%) female patients. The largest number of patients (44.7%) had type II angioedema. Almost half of the patients or 36 patients (47.4%) were on treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), but there was no statistically significant difference under the total number of patients (p=0.678).

Better understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms and the adoption of diagnostic protocols contributes to more effective treatment of angioedema.