Upper airway edema resulting from use of Ecballium elaterium

Kloutsos, G; Balatsouras, DG; Kaberos, AC; Kandiloros, D; Ferekidis, E; Economou, C

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