Late presentation of a case with an uvular edema caused by ecbalium elaterium

Abstract

Ecbalium elaterium (EE) is an herbaceous vine from cucurbitaceae family which usually grows in mediterranean region. The juice has potent cathartic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. When it is used as an undiluted fruit juice is too toxic. Our case had a delayed presentation to ED 12 hours after exposure. Undiluted EE fruit juice aspiration intranasally caused this life threatening uvular edema and severe allergic reaction. It was treated with oxygen, adrenalin, antihistaminic and steroids.