Intravenous self-administration of metallic mercury: report of a case with a 5-year follow-up

J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1997;35(1):83-7. doi: 10.3109/15563659709001170.

Abstract

A case of intravenous self-administration of elementary mercury is presented. The increase urinary excretion of mercury after treatment with 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate is reported on a 5-year follow-up. No biochemical abnormalities in hepatic or renal function nor clinical pulmonary malfunction have been detected, despite the persistence of metallic densities in the body. The only persistent symptoms are tremor and lower extremity weakness. Any long term benefits of 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate treatment remains to be determined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antidotes / therapeutic use*
  • Hand / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Mercury / analysis
  • Mercury / urine
  • Mercury Poisoning / etiology*
  • Mercury Poisoning / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Abdominal
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Suicide, Attempted*
  • Unithiol / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Unithiol
  • Mercury