Elemental mercury poisoning caused by subcutaneous and intravenous injection: An unusual self-injury.

Abstract

Elemental mercury poisoning most commonly occurs through vapor inhalation as mercury is well absorbed through the lungs. Administering subcutaneous and intravenous elemental mercury is very uncommon but with only a few isolated case reports in the literature. We present an unusual case of elemental mercury poisoning in a 20-year-old young male who presented with chest pain, fever, and hemoptysis. He had injected himself subcutaneously with elemental mercury obtained from a sphygmomanometer. The typical radiographic findings in the chest, forearm, and abdomen are discussed, with a review of the literature.

• Authors: Jaywant Wale, Pankaj K Yadav, Shairy Garg
• Journal: The Indian journal of radiology & imaging (Indian J Radiol Imaging) Vol. 20 Issue 2 Pg. 147-9 (May 2010) ISSN: 1998-3808 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 20607031 (Publication Type: Case Reports)