Subcutaneous and Gastrointestinal Exposure to Metallic Mercury: Report of 2 Cases.
- Author:
Sung Kwan LEE
1
;
Hyoung Jai LEE
;
Hong Jae CHAE
;
Jai Dong MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Korea. dolbox2@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Mercury poisoning;
Metallic mercury;
Subcutaneous exposure;
Gastrointestinal exposure;
D-penicillamine
- MeSH:
Abscess;
Absorption;
Aged;
Chelation Therapy;
Eating;
Edema;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Female;
Humans;
Inhalation;
Male;
Mercury Poisoning;
Penicillamine;
Penis;
Urology
- From:Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2003;15(4):446-451
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Mercury poisoning presents a variety of clinical pictures depending on the chemical structure, the route of exposure, the amount absorbed and other individual factors. Therefore, the ingestive and subcutaneous absorption of elemental(metallic) mercury can be considered to be relatively harmless in contrast to the inhalation of mercury vapor. CASE REPORTS: A 72-year-old man presented to the department of urology due to tenderness, edema and a necrotic abscess of his penis after trauma. The soft tissue abscess required a surgical resection of the penis. For chelation therapy, oral D-penicillamine was administrated. 7 months later, he showed no subjective or objective signs of mercury poisoning. Another 5-yearold girl presented to the emergency department after accidental self-ingestion of elemental mercury. She was followed clinically and did not show any systemic mercury poisoning. CONCLUSION: The Mercury concentrations in the blood and urine were elevated in the case of subcutaneous exposure, but was unchanged in the case of ingestion. Subcutaneous and gastrointestinal exposure to metallic mercury has a minimal risk for systemic mercury poisoning, which is in contrast to the exposure by inhalation.
