Auto-aggressive metallic mercury injection around the knee joint: a case report.
BMC Surg
; 11: 31, 2011 Nov 17.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22093686
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Accidental or intentional subcutaneous and/or intramuscular injection of metallic mercury is an uncommon form of poisoning. Although it does not carry the same risk as mercury vapour inhalation, it may cause destructive early and late reactions. CASE PRESENTATION Herein we present the case of a 29-year-old male patient who developed an obsessive-compulsive disorder causing auto-aggressive behaviour with injection of elemental mercury and several other foreign bodies into the soft tissues around the left knee about 15 years before initial presentation. For clinical examination X-rays and a CT-scan of the affected area were performed. Furthermore, blood was taken to determine the mercury concentration in the blood, which showed a concentration 17-fold higher than recommended. As a consequence, the mercury depots and several foreign bodies were resected marginally.CONCLUSION:
Blood levels of mercury will decrease rapidly following surgery, especially in combination with chelating therapy. In case of subcutaneous and intramuscular injection of metallic mercury we recommend marginal or wide excision of all contaminated tissue to prevent migration of mercury and chronic inflammation. Nevertheless, prolonged clinical and biochemical monitoring should be performed for several years to screen for chronic intoxication.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Autodestrutivo
/
Mercúrio
/
Intoxicação por Mercúrio
/
Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article