Λεξικό .. Carambola or Karambol tree cherry or star fruit

Carambola or Karambol tree cherry or star fruit [(L) Averrhoa carambola],

Exotic fruit which is star-shaped when cross-sectioned with aromatic flavor (sweet like gooseberry or sour like rhubarb) used as a garnish. The tree grows in Indonesia Thailand and Brasil [1]. Ingestion of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) can induce severe intoxication in subjects with chronic renal failure. Oxalate plays a key role in the neurotoxicity of star fruit. We report the cases of two patients with unknown chronic renal insufficiency who developed severe encephalopathy after ingestion of star fruit. The two patients developed intractable hiccups, vomiting, impaired consciousness and status epilepticus. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging showed cortical and thalamic hyperintense lesions related to epileptic status. They improved after being submitted to continuous hemofiltration which constitutes the most effective treatment during the acute phase [2]. R95 is the symbol of Carambola in RAST.

References

1.Allergy; which Allergens? Food of plant origin. Kabi-pharmacia, Uppsala 1993:41.
2. Signaté A, Olindo S, Chausson N, Cassinoto C, Edimo Nana M, Saint Vil M, Cabre P, Smadja D. Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) toxic encephalopathy. Rev Neurol (Paris).2009 Mar;165(3):268-72. Epub 2008 Aug 27.