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[Long-term follow-up after intravenous injection of mercury--two cases report].
- Source :
-
Przeglad lekarski [Przegl Lek] 2012; Vol. 69 (8), pp. 580-4. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- In this paper we present the long-term follow-up of two patients, after injection of metallic mercury. Case 1. In 1997, 29-years-old man injected himself to left elbow about 20 ml of metallic mercury by mistake (he was heroin abuser for short time). Mercury concentration in the blood was 400 microg/L. X-ray of the chest, abdomen and affected elbow area showed radiopaque foreign material (depots of mercury). Depots of mercury were also visible on the tricuspid valve in echocardiography. Mercury from the soft tissue left elbow pit was partially surgically removed. During 15 years follow-up two times chelating therapy was performed with d-penicyllamine and DMPS. In 2012, he was admitted to hospital next time. The blood and urine mercury concentration was still elevated (55.2 microg/L and 197 microg/L), mercury depots in the lung and abdomen were present. The signs and symptoms of CNS damage, like peripheral polyneuropathy and ataxia, were diagnosed. CT of brain did not revealed any changes, despite head trauma before 6 years. However neurological findings are typical for chronic mercury poisoning, it is not possible to determine whether these changes are directly related to mercury, because head trauma history, Case 2. In 2003, 16-years-old woman injected herself one month before, in suicidal attempts to both elbows several millilitres of metallic mercury. Mercury concentration in the blood was 56.2 microg/L, in urine 906 microg/L and in the hair 1.12 microg/g. Chest Xray showed depots of mercury in the lung. Mercury from the soft tissue was two times surgically removed. During 9 years two times chelating therapy was performed with d-penicyllamine and DMPS. After 9 years there is no symptoms of mercury poisoning. Mercury depots in the lung are still present. The blood and urine mercury concentration is low (13.7 microg/L and 2.53 microg/L). In mean time she gave birth two healthy children. Further patients evaluation is necessary.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Injections, Intravenous
Lung chemistry
Male
Mercury administration & dosage
Mercury blood
Mercury urine
Mercury Poisoning blood
Mercury Poisoning urine
Penicillic Acid analogs & derivatives
Penicillic Acid therapeutic use
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Suicide, Attempted
Treatment Outcome
Unithiol therapeutic use
Young Adult
Chelating Agents therapeutic use
Mercury Poisoning diagnosis
Mercury Poisoning drug therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- Polish
- ISSN :
- 0033-2240
- Volume :
- 69
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Przeglad lekarski
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23243934