Neurological manifestations of angioedema. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two children had recurrent neurological symptoms associated with angioedema. Extensive clinical and laboratory investigations failed to reveal a separate cause for the neurological changes. Only 19 prior cases of this association have been reported. Seizures and headaches are the most common symptoms, but a wide variety of focal and generalized deficits may occur. The release of vasoactive substances such as histamine, serotonin, and prostaglandins, which are also putative neurotransmitters, is postulated to be the cause of the cerebral symptoms.