John Libbey Eurotext




Adrenergic urticaria
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 9, Number 2, 137-8, March 1999, Votre diagnostic !
Free Article
Author(s) : Béatrice Maerens-Tchokokam, Martine Vigan, François Breuillard, Dominique Angèle Vuitton, Pascal Girardin, René Laurent
Summary : A 53-year-old man was referred for investigation of chronic urticaria of 9 months duration. His medical background was unremarkable except for reactive depression and 3 syncopal attacks. Physical examination was normal. Routine laboratory tests were negative. No explanation was found for his syncope. Prick-tests to controls showed: histamine /codeine +; prick-tests to a panel of pneumallergens were negative. These tests stressed the patient considerably and he developed urticarial papules surrounded by halos of vasoconstriction (Fig. 1). Propranolol 20 mg t.i.d. was started, which suppressed both the urticaria and the syncope. The b-blocker was stopped and the urticaria recurred. Treatment was resumed and has brought about complete control, up to the follow-up of 21 months.
Keywords :

Adrenergic urticaria