[Hereditary angioneurotic edema (author's transl)].

Hereditary angioneurotic edema is a rare autosomally-inherited disease, which is caused by a deficiency or functional inactivation of C-1 inactivator in the complement system. The poor prognosis of the disease mandates that an early diagnosis be made and drug therapy begun to prevent a lethal outcome. The pathogenesis, clinical course and therapies available are detailed.