Rare presentation of toxic endothelitis because of mustard seeds and insect toxin

Abstract

Mustard seeds have been reported to cause contact dermatitis and even second-degree burns over the exposed skin. However, there have been no previous case reports on mustard seed-induced toxic endotheliitis. Mustard seeds have toxic compounds such as glycosides. There have been few reports on insect sting causing ocular changes. However, there have been no case reports on toxic endotheliitis caused because of rubbing of the eye containing a small insect. We report two such cases of toxic endotheliitis with rare presentation. Both the cases presented with intense photophobia and blurred vision in the affected eyes. The first case had a history of rubbing of an insect inside the eye. The other case had a history of husking mustard harvest a few hours prior to the occurrence of symptoms.