DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2026.1.79
A.A. Dyachkova, D.V. Chikareva, L.A. Avtaykina
Errors in the diagnosing angioedema on the example of a clinical case
National Research Mordovian State University named after N.P. Ogarev, Saransk, Russian Federation
Vestnik VGMU. 2026;25(1):79-84.
Abstract.
Angioedema is characterized by an acute body reaction to allergens, medications, or other factors, and is a rapidly developing swelling of the skin and mucous membranes, with a predominant location in tissues with loose subcutaneous fat. The difficulty of making a reliable diagnosis lies in the similarity of clinical symptoms with other diseases and the unavailability of specific laboratory tests in institutions of the general medical network that can confirm angioedema.
This article presents the analysis of a clinical case of a primary misdiagnosed angioedema in a 74-year-old woman. This patient had dense edema that filled the entire sublingual area and was not arrested by glucocorticosteroids. Antiseptic and antibacterial therapy led to the relief of edema and a decrease in subjective symptoms, which was the basis for the withdrawal of the primary diagnosis and the final diagnosis of “Infectious and allergic edema of unknown origin.”
The difficulties of diagnosis in this clinical case emphasize the importance of a thorough examination and individual management of each patient in order to ensure the correct diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of errors in it.
Keywords: angioedema, localized edema, allergic edema, difficulty of diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment of allergic edema.
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Submitted 28.10.2025
Accepted 16.02.2026
Information about authors:
A.A. Dyachkova – Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Chair of Faculty Therapy with a course in Medical Rehabilitation at the Medical Institute, Ogarev Mordovian State University, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4596-2970
Darya V. Chikareva – 4th–year student of the specialty “General Medicine” at the Medical Institute, N.P. Mordovian State University named after N.P. Ogarev, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6625-5818, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.;
L.A. Avtaykina – 6th-year student of the specialty “General Medicine” at the Medical Institute, National Research Mordovian State University named after N.P. Ogarev, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3473-5200.
