Acquired Refractory Angioneurotic Edema in a Known Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A woman came to the emergency room with swelling of the face, which included swelling around the lips and the eyes. The patient had undergone root canal treatment under lidocaine anesthesia one day prior, after which she developed swelling. Because angioneurotic edema was a possibility, the complement components C3 and C4 and C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) were tested. The C4 level was found to be very low (0.08 gm/l) and the C1 level was also on the lower side (0.26 gm/l). Angioneurotic edema with acquired C1-INH deficiency was diagnosed after complete systemic and physical examinations. The patient made a complete recovery with the help of steroids, fresh frozen plasma, antibiotics, and antiallergic medications. For its rarity, this case of systemic lupus erythematosus refractory angioneurotic edema with acquired C1-INH deficiency is being reported.