Haemodialysis and charcoal haemoperfusion in acute inorganic mercury poisoning

A 29-year-old gardener developed acute renal failure following the ingestion of 'Mersil', a combination of mercurous and mercuric chloride, achieving a plasma mercury concentration of 22,000 nmol/litre (400 micrograms/litre). Haemodialysis and charcoal haemoperfusion were ineffective in removing mercury despite prior treatment with the chelating agent dimercaprol. The acute renal failure resolved after 10 days and there are no residual sequelae.