Hereditary angioneurotic edema and familial Crohn's disease

A 29-year-old man with Crohn's disease involving the ileum and cecum was se en. He had angioneurotic edema with C1' esterase inhibitor deficiency. Late r, his 50-year-old mother was evaluated because of abdominal pain. She had recurrent urticaria, C1' esterase inhibitor deficiency and radiographic stu dies showed Crohn's disease of the ileum. A maternal family history reveale d other members affected with either Crohn's disease or angioneurotic edema . The clinical observations in this family suggest that angioneurotic edema associated with C1' esterase inhibitor deficiency may be closely linked ge netically with a familial form of Crohn's disease.