Emergency management of upper airway angio-oedema after routine dental extraction in a patient with C1 esterase deficiency

Hereditary angio-oedema is rare and potentially life-threatening, being characterised by recurrent episodes of perioral or laryngeal oedema. We describe a 28-year-old woman who developed stridor, orofacial swelling, and drooling several hours after a routine dental extraction. This was initially diagnosed as a spreading dental infection. Only after early oral and maxillofacial review and taking a thorough family history was C1 esterase-inhibitor deficiency diagnosed. She was immediately given C I esterase-inhibitor concentrate, made a complete recovery and was discharged next day. (C) 2007 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.