Final answer:
The patient's symptoms suggest hereditary angioedema, a genetic condition caused by a deficiency in C1 esterase inhibitors. This disorder is characterized by swelling in various parts of the body, does not respond to steroids, and requires specific blood tests for diagnosis. Treatment involves administration of C1-INH from blood donors.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient with rapid-onset edema of the face, extremities, trachea, and abdominal organs without urticaria following infection, dental procedure, or trauma most likely is experiencing hereditary angioedema. This condition is a genetic disorder resulting from a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitors which normally suppress the activation of the complement system. Unlike anaphylaxis, which is a rapid systemic allergic reaction, hereditary angioedema does not usually respond to steroid treatment and doesn't typically cause urticaria (hives).
Hereditary angioedema is characterized by occasional episodes of swelling in various parts of the body that may include the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. Since hereditary angioedema is a genetic condition, the diagnosis is made through specific blood tests checking levels of C1-INH and the functional assay of C1 inhibitors.
The treatment for hereditary angioedema involves timely administration of purified and concentrated C1-INH from blood donors. It's essential for patients with this disorder to be correctly diagnosed to avoid critical outcomes like the one that occurred to Angela's father.