Chronic angio-oedema of the tongue associated with pernicious anaemia and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

ABSTRACT

The cause of chronic urticaria and angio-oedema (CUA) often remains undetermined. CUA has been associated with thyroid disease and most recently with thyroid autoimmunity (i.e. elevated titres of thyroid microsomal and/or thyroglobulin antibody). There is growing speculation that in this subset of patients, CUA may represent an autoimmune phenomenon. We describe a case in which chronic angio-oedema of the tongue was the sole presenting complaint in a patient with underlying quiescent pernicious anaemia and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Awareness of the association of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with pernicious anaemia and CUA resulted in correct diagnosis and treatment of the underlying diseases.