Abstract |
Most reported cases of inorganic mercury poisoning are from mercuric chloride. We report a case of mercuric oxide (HgO) powder ingestion. A 31-year-old man presented to an emergency department after ingestion of approximately 40 g of HgO. Soon after ingestion, he developed nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping. Abdominal radiograph revealed densely radiopaque material in the stomach. Gastrointestinal decontamination was accomplished with activated charcoal and whole-bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol solution ( Golytely) for 24 hours until repeat abdominal radiographs no longer demonstrated the substance in the gastrointestinal tract. He was also chelated with British anti-Lewisite for 5 days, followed by succimer for 10 days. He had markedly elevated urine and blood mercury levels after ingestion, but except for a mildly depressed serum bicarbonate (19 mEq/L), his chemistry results remained normal including blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. He had an uncomplicated hospital course and remained asymptomatic at 6 months postingestion. Despite elevated urine and blood mercury levels after ingestion of HgO, our patient did not develop the end-organ toxicity typical of inorganic mercury poisoning.
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Authors | Binh T Ly, Saralyn R Williams, Richard F Clark |
Journal | Annals of emergency medicine
(Ann Emerg Med)
Vol. 39
Issue 3
Pg. 312-5
(Mar 2002)
ISSN: 0196-0644 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11867987
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Chelating Agents
- Electrolytes
- Golytely
- Dimercaprol
- Charcoal
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Succimer
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Topics |
- Adult
- Charcoal
(therapeutic use)
- Chelating Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Dimercaprol
(therapeutic use)
- Electrolytes
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Intestines
- Male
- Mercury Poisoning
(therapy)
- Polyethylene Glycols
(therapeutic use)
- Succimer
(therapeutic use)
- Suicide, Attempted
- Therapeutic Irrigation
(methods)
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