Predicting airway risk in angioedema: staging system based on presentation.

Angioedema is an immunologically mediated, anatomically limited, nonpitting edema that can lead to life-threatening airway obstruction. To predict the risk of airway compromise in angioedema, we retrospectively reviewed 93 episodes in 80 patients from 1985 to 1995. Intubation or tracheotomy was necessary in 9 (9.7%) cases. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use in 36 cases (39%) was associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission (P = 0.05). ICU stay correlated significantly with presentation with voice change, hoarseness, dyspnea, and rash (P < 0.05). Voice change, hoarseness, dyspnea, and stridor were present in patients requiring airway intervention (P < 0.05). On the basis of our data, we propose a staging system by which airway risk may be predicted from the anatomic site of presentation. Patients with facial rash, facial edema, lip edema (stage I), and soft palate edema (stage II) were treated as outpatients and on the hospital ward. Patients with lingual edema (stage III) usually required ICU admission. All patients with laryngeal edema (stage IV) were admitted to the ICU. Airway intervention was necessary in 7% of stage III patients and in 24% of stage IV cases. No deaths were caused by angioedema. Airway risk in angioedema may be predicted by anatomic site of presentation, allowing appropriate triage with preparation for airway intervention in selected cases.

Response of lymphoepithelial parotid cysts to antiretroviral treatment in HIV-infected adults.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection has been the usual therapy for HIV-infected patients with lymphoepithelial parotid cysts. OBJECTIVE: To study antiretroviral therapy for lymphoepithelial parotid cysts. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: HIV outpatient clinics. PATIENTS: HIV-infected patients with lymphoepithelial parotid cysts. INTERVENTION: Antiretroviral therapy. MEASUREMENTS: Change in size of the parotid cyst, CD4 lymphocyte count, and HIV viral load. RESULTS: Nine HIV-infected adults presented with chronic, large parotid cysts, eight of which were bilateral. In at least seven patients, the cysts were the initial sign of HIV infection. In six patients, the cysts resolved completely with combination antiretroviral therapy. Four of these patients also received prednisone. Three patients who did not comply with antiretroviral therapy had partial responses followed by relapses. CONCLUSIONS: Parotid cysts are an unrecognized sign of early HIV infection. These cysts respond to combination antiretroviral therapy, with or without corticosteroids. Surgical resection should be reserved for patients in whom medical therapy has failed or those who refuse or are poorly compliant with medical therapy.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: analysis of 44 cases treated by the canalith repositioning procedure of Epley.

Between September 1987 and February 1993, the authors treated 44 consecutive cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with the canalith repositioning procedure of Epley. The authors report a success rate of 87.7 percent using this treatment technique. Clinical observations and case reports are presented.

Treatment of severe recurrent aphthous stomatitis with colchicine.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is characterized by necrotizing ulcers of the oral mucosa that persist, remit, and recur for variable periods of time. Despite the benign nature of the disease, persistent pain and ulceration may disable patients from performing their daily activities. We describe three patients with long-standing active RAS treated with oral colchicine. All patients experienced a marked decrease in symptoms and a remission of the disease. Recurrences, however, occurred within three days of discontinuation of the therapy. In one patient, colchicine therapy was discontinued because of persistent diarrhea. In another, a second remission was more difficult to achieve on the same regimen. The literature on the subject is reviewed, and the beneficial effects of colchicine therapy are discussed in relation to the immunopathogenesis of this disease. We conclude that colchicine therapy should be considered as an alternative in the treatment of the major or persistent form of RAS.