Angiodema

A patient came with a complaint of swollen upper lip after the access opening was done of the upper anterior teeth one day back. On history taking she revealed that the swelling started last night after taking food and her night dose of medicines. The swelling was fairly rapid in onset. On clinical examination swelling was involving the upper lip, swelling was non tender, no rise in temperature and the mucosa and skin above the swelling were normal,with no reddness.

The provisional diagnosis was made of cellulitis/angiodema. On radiographic examination there was no sign of any periapical lesion related to anterior teeth. The patient by clinical and radiographical evaluation was finally diagnosed as a case of angiodema due to antibiotics prescribed. The medicines were stopped

and anti histaminics were started. The patient returned a day later with complete resolution of the swelling and her further dental treat- ment was started.

Although the patient’s medical history had not revealed any abnormality or any previous drug allergy yet she manifested an allergic reaction to the prescribed drugs. So the correct history, clinical and radiographical examination is indeed necessary to make the correct diagnosis and to treat it subsequently.