Severe uvular angioedema caused by intranasal administration of Ecbalium elaterium
Eray, O.; Tuncok, Y.; Eray, E.; Gunerli, A.; Guven, H.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 41(6): 376-378
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 10592944 Document Number: 505479
A 54-y-o woman presented to the Emergency Department with shortness of breath and sore throat after intranasal administration of Ecbalium elaterium as a folk remedy for her sinusitis. The patient's history included nasal aspiration of the juice of the squirting cucumber (Ecbalium elaterium) for acute maxillary sinusitis. An airway obstruction due to severe uvular angioedema was detected and confirmed by airway X-ray. The patient was treated with 100% oxygen with mask, 0.3 mg epinephrine s.c., and 80 mg prednisolone i.v. Renal and hepatic function tests were normal. After a 24-h observation, the patient was discharged in her previous state of health.