From suspicion of angioedema to the diagnosis of lung cancer

Abstract

Angioedema is a localized and self-limiting oedema of the subcutaneous and submucosal tissue. Case presentation: 73-year-old man was admitted to the Division of Allergology with the diagnosis of angioedema. Detailed physical examination led to the suspicion of superior vena cava syndrome with secondary face swelling. Biopsy revealed metastasis of small cell carcinoma in superclavicular lymph nodes. Conclusions: Facial swelling, especially recurrent and non-inflammatory, is often, but not always caused by angioedema. Insightful differential diagnosis is crucial before making the final one.