Severe uvular angioedema caused by intranasal administration of Ecbalium elaterium

A 54-y-o woman presented to the Emergency Department with shortness of brea th and sore throat after intranasal administration of Ecbalium elaterium as a folk remedy for her sinusitis. The patient's history included nasal aspi ration of the juice of the squirting cucumber (Ecbalium elaterium) for acut e maxillary sinusitis. An airway obstruction due to severe uvular angioedem a was detected and confirmed by airway X-ray. The patient was treated with 100% oxygen with mask, 0.3 mg epinephrine sc, and 80 mg prednisolone iv. Re nal and hepatic function tests were normal. After a 24-h observation, the p atient was discharged in her previous state of health.