Five years of follow-up after elemental mercury self-poisoning

A case of attempted suicide by injection of elemental mercury is described. Radiographs demonstrated the presence of widespread opacities of metallic mercury in both the lungs and the abdomen. During a 5-year follow-up, even though the patient had high concentrations of mercury in the urine and blood, only mild clinical symptoms and moderate carbon monoxide diffusing capacity reduction appeared. No biochemical evidence of damage to any organ was found.