Clinical case presentation, discussion, and close of the Scientific Track

Dr Felicia Racquel Salvador-Tayag chaired the final session in the Scientific Track. It featured a short case presentation by Professor Connie Katelaris and a discussion with a panel from the Scientific Committee.

She told the audience about an otherwise healthy-looking young boy who regularly presented at the emergency room with recurrent, severe abdominal pain. Despite extensive tests, IV fluids, and pain relief, many theories were suggested, but no concrete cause or diagnosis was made.

Eventually, after being admitted to a hospital ward for observation, the boy had an attack that was observed and he was diagnosed with HAE Type 1. Treatment at the time was limited to tranexamic acid and C1-inhibitor for severe attacks.

At a much later date, when the boy had become an adult, it became apparent that his father, who had no contact with the family, knew that he had a rare swelling disorder but had never disclosed that to his ex-wife, who cared for the boy.

Professor Katelaris made clear that the boy and a sibling suffered because of that non-disclosure. She felt that the lessons from this are many around differential diagnosis and reiterated something Professor Li had said previously, that it is imperative to track down the family. “Sometimes, it’s impossible due to family dynamics, but we must try all we can,” she said.

An audience Q&A and discussion followed this. At the conclusion, the Co-Chairs drew the Scientific Track to a close. They thanked all speakers, participants, and audience members. After lunch, the physicians and scientists would join the main patient track for the final presentations.