Title 

Parenteral mercury poisoning - an interesting and rare case.

Authors 

Anita Yadav, Adarsh Kumar, HT Thejsavi, AK Jaiswal

Abstract 

Mercury is an element found in the earth's crust. Pure mercury is a liquid metal, sometimes referred to as quicksilver that volatizes readily. It has traditionally been used to make products like thermometers, switches, and some light bulbs, BP machines and also used in dental amalgams. The case represented here is of a 15 years old boy, who injected mercury of an old broken BP machine in his left wrist after watching a famous English movie “Wolverine” which was deposited subcutaneously. Later he developed localized necrosis and nonhealing ulcer. He was then referred to AIIMS for further treatment and to corresponding author for further opinion. 24- hours urine, blood and nail samples were collected and analysed further in departmental toxicological laboratory. The samples were digested on closed vessel microwave digestion and the digested clear transparent samples were then quantitatively estimated using trace metal analyzer. The results obtained were calculated according to the average value of blank reference sample and average value of standard of 1 ppm of mercury. After one week, again the samples were taken to check whether there is any increase or decrease in the level of mercury in the body. The analyzed samples showed an increase of 88µg/L in urine in one week duration however it was not present in blood and nails. The case report highlights importance of having well equipped toxicology lab which is of great help to clinical settings in giving clue or confirming the diagnosis.

 Keywords

Mercury, Parenteral Poisoning, Trace Metal Analyzer, Voltammogram.

 DOI