栗のイガ刺入による角膜穿孔の2例

Two cases of corneal injury by chestnut burs

　落下する栗のイガで角膜穿孔を生じた2症例を経験した。1例は31歳女性，他の1例は65歳男性で，いずれも栗拾いをしていた。角膜深層までイガが刺入し，一部が前房内に穿孔していた。顕微鏡下で摘出したが，イガ自体の脆弱性と返し構造のため摘出が困難で，1例では角膜切開を必要とした。2例とも軽度の角膜混濁を残して治癒した。栗のイガは毒素サポニンを含み，長期間放置すると炎症を惹起して角膜混濁を生じるため早期に摘出すべきである。

　We observed two cases of corneal injury hit by falling chestnut burs. One was a 31-year old woman and the other was a 65-year-old man. Both were collecting chestnuts. The burs had penetrated the corneal stroma with their tips protruding into the anterior chamber. Removal under the microscope was difficult due to fragility of burs and presence of splinters. Additional keratotomy was needed in one case. Cure was obtained in both cases leaving corneal opacity. Chestnut burs contain a toxin saponin,which will induce inflammation when left in situ. We advocate early removal of chestnut burs taking their structural features into consideration.