Peripheral polyneuropathy due to chronic use of topical ammoniated mercury.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Despite their potentially disastrous side effects, topical mercury salts can still be found as ingredients in some over-the-counter preparations or local remedies.

CASE REPORT:

Peripheral polyneuropathy as a result of chronic ammoniated mercury poisoning was studied and followed over 2 years. A 36-year-old man developed peripheral polyneuropathy following chronic perianal use of an ammoniated mercury ointment. Highly elevated blood and urine mercury levels were found. Sural nerve biopsy showed mixed axonal degeneration-demyelination. There was progressive improvement of his symptoms over 2 years but neurophysiological examination revealed incomplete recovery.

CONCLUSION:

The availability of safer drugs should result in a complete ban of these dangerous compounds.

• Authors: D Deleu, Y Hanssens, H S al-Salmy, I Hastie
• Journal: Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology (J Toxicol Clin Toxicol) Vol. 36 Issue 3 Pg. 233-7 ( 1998) ISSN: 0731-3810 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9656980 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nonprescription Drugs
• Mercuric Chloride
• Ammonia
• Mercury
• mercuric chloride, ammoniated

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Ammonia (adverse effects)
• Anal Canal (drug effects, innervation, pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Mercuric Chloride (adverse effects)
• Mercury (blood, urine)
• Neural Conduction (drug effects)
• Nonprescription Drugs (adverse effects)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (chemically induced, metabolism, pathology)
• Sural Nerve (drug effects, pathology)