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Upper airway edema resulting from use of Ecballium elaterium

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dc.contributor.author Kloutsos, G en
dc.contributor.author Balatsouras, DG en
dc.contributor.author Kaberos, AC en
dc.contributor.author Kandiloros, D en
dc.contributor.author Ferekidis, E en
dc.contributor.author Economou, C en
dc.date.accessioned 2014-03-01T01:51:24Z
dc.date.available 2014-03-01T01:51:24Z
dc.date.issued 2001 en
dc.identifier.issn 0023-852X en
dc.identifier.uri https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/26276
dc.subject Cucurbitaceae en
dc.subject allergic rhinitis en
dc.subject edema en
dc.subject immediate hypersensitivity en
dc.subject cross-reactions en
dc.subject.classification Medicine, Research & Experimental en
dc.subject.classification Otorhinolaryngology en
dc.subject.other CROSS-REACTIVITY en
dc.subject.other ALLERGY en
dc.subject.other POLLEN en
dc.title Upper airway edema resulting from use of Ecballium elaterium en
heal.type journalArticle en
heal.language English en
heal.publicationDate 2001 en
heal.abstract Objectives. To present a rare occurrence in ear, nose and throat practice of upper airway allergic edema from use of juice extracted from the fruit of Ecballium elaterium. Introduction: Ecballium elaterium is a plant indigenous to the Mediterranean region that bears the common name squirting cucumber. Many people in this region for the treatment of sinusitis use the juice of its fruit. However, allergy-prone patients after using it may sometimes present with edema at various sites of the upper respiratory tract. Otolaryngologists are frequently asked to diagnose and treat such an emergency situation. Study Design: Retrospective review of the records of 42 patients with this condition during the last 4 years. Methods. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed for age, sex, presenting symptoms, physical examination, and medical treatment. Seasonal distribution and data from the history of the patients were also considered. Skin prick and prick-to-prick testing to various allergens was performed in 12 patients. Results. Most of the patients presented with localized swelling of the uvula and the nasal mucosa, whereas in the remainder of the patients various sites of swelling of the upper respiratory tract were observed. Skin tests elicited positive reactions to pollen weeds and to various fruits of the Cucurbitaceae family. Treatment of the patients with corticosteroids and antihistamines resulted in an uneventful recovery, and we did not need to resort to therapeutic modalities, such as intubation or tracheotomy. Conclusions. We think a further study of the pharmaceutical properties of the plant's fruit juice is needed, especially regarding its curative properties of rhinitis and sinusitis. However, adverse reactions in some patients with a positive history of allergy should always be considered. en
heal.publisher LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS en
heal.journalName LARYNGOSCOPE en
dc.identifier.isi ISI:000170987500030 en
dc.identifier.volume 111 en
dc.identifier.issue 9 en
dc.identifier.spage 1652 en
dc.identifier.epage 1655 en


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