Joseph Gabriel Gabriel1, Venkatasriharsha Vedantam2, Aaysha Kapila3, Kailash Bajaj4. 1. Resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at East Tennessee State University James H Quillen School of Medicine in Johnson City. gabriel@etsu.edu. 2. Resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at East Tennessee State University James H Quillen School of Medicine in Johnson City. vedantam@etsu.edu. 3. Internist at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. kapilaa@etsu.edu. 4. Internist at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. bajajk@etsu.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Peripheral angioedema of the face and upper airways is a well-known phenomenon of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors occurring in only 0.1% to 0.7% of patients. We describe a case of the even less-common manifestation of visceral angioedema, which causes symptoms of chronic and intractable diarrhea. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old white woman presented with large-volume diarrhea, caused by visceral angioedema secondary to lisinopril therapy. Initial imaging studies were significant for distended small bowel loops, with subsequent unremarkable findings on colonoscopy and biopsy studies. After an exhaustive laboratory work-up, her diarrhea resolved only after the discontinuation of lisinopril. DISCUSSION: Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is increasing, making the recognition of visceral angioedema important in preventing significant morbidity and avoiding invasive and costly studies.
INTRODUCTION: Peripheral angioedema of the face and upper airways is a well-known phenomenon of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors occurring in only 0.1% to 0.7% of patients. We describe a case of the even less-common manifestation of visceral angioedema, which causes symptoms of chronic and intractable diarrhea. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old white woman presented with large-volume diarrhea, caused by visceral angioedema secondary to lisinopril therapy. Initial imaging studies were significant for distended small bowel loops, with subsequent unremarkable findings on colonoscopy and biopsy studies. After an exhaustive laboratory work-up, her diarrhea resolved only after the discontinuation of lisinopril. DISCUSSION: Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is increasing, making the recognition of visceral angioedema important in preventing significant morbidity and avoiding invasive and costly studies.
Authors: Prashanth M Thalanayar; Ibrahim Ghobrial; Fritz Lubin; Reena Karnik; Robin Bhasin Journal: J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect Date: 2014-09-29