Aspiration of black mustard

A 15-month-old healthy boy presented in acute, severe respiratory distress after ingesting and aspirating ground black mustard (Brassicu nigra) seeds. Ground mustard seeds contain the toxic compound, isothiocyanate, that causes airway irritation and edema similar to black pepper (known to be lethal with aspiration). This case documents the potential toxicity of black mustard which has not been previously reported.