J Korean Assoc Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.
2013 Nov;35(6):427-431.
Angioedema of the Left Maxillary Area
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea. omfskim1@catholic.ac.kr
- 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Korea.
Abstract
- Angioedema is defined as self-limited, localized swelling. The swelling is asymmetric, non-pitting, and non-tender. Common locations of swelling include periorbital area, lips, tongue, extremities, and bowel wall. A 54-year-old woman visited our hospital with the clinical complaint of left maxillary swelling. Swelling of the left maxillary area was diffuse and temperature of the involved area was normal. No infectious source was found on panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. After considering the patient's medical history and assessing clinical examination, we suspected angioedema and administered corticosteroid only. In the oral and maxillofacial area, proper diagnosis and prompt treatment of angioedema is important because angioedema of the tongue or larynx may lead to airway obstruction or a life-threatening condition.