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A Case of Accidental Mercury Intoxication
Olivia L Kamensky1, Destiny Horton1, Donald P Kingsley2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia; Department of Internal Medicine, Navicent Health, Macon, Georgia.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|February 6, 2019
Summary
Physicians should consider mercury poisoning due to its nonspecific symptoms and potential for severe complications. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this elemental mercury exposure.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Mercury poisoning is an uncommon but potentially fatal diagnosis.
- Nonspecific symptoms like fever and nausea can lead to misdiagnosis.
- A thorough patient history is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A patient was repeatedly misdiagnosed with a viral illness despite presenting with a rash, fever, and neurological symptoms.
- Elemental mercury exposure was identified through a home spill.
- The patient's blood mercury level was 170 ng/mL.
Findings:
- Treatment with dimercaprol led to symptom improvement.
- The patient was discharged on hospital day 5.
- Early recognition and treatment are vital.
Implications:
- Untreated mercury poisoning can cause severe pneumonitis, renal tubular necrosis, and neurological dysfunction.
- Neurological symptoms may persist even after exposure cessation.
- Emergency physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for mercury poisoning.
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