A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity
Background. Mercury exists in multiple forms: elemental, organic, and inorganic. Its toxic manifestations depend on the type and magnitude of exposure. The role of colonoscopic decompression in acute mercury toxicity is still unclear. We present a case of acute elemental mercury toxicity secondary t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Medicine |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/1010678 |
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| author | Ali Nayfeh Thamer Kassim Noor Addasi Faysal Alghoula Christopher Holewinski Zachary Depew |
| author_facet | Ali Nayfeh Thamer Kassim Noor Addasi Faysal Alghoula Christopher Holewinski Zachary Depew |
| author_sort | Ali Nayfeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Mercury exists in multiple forms: elemental, organic, and inorganic. Its toxic manifestations depend on the type and magnitude of exposure. The role of colonoscopic decompression in acute mercury toxicity is still unclear. We present a case of acute elemental mercury toxicity secondary to mercury ingestion, which markedly improved with colonoscopic decompression. Clinical Case. A 54-year-old male presented to the ED five days after ingesting five ounces (148 cubic centimeters) of elemental mercury. Examination was only significant for a distended abdomen. Labs showed elevated serum and urine mercury levels. An abdominal radiograph showed radiopaque material throughout the colon. Succimer and laxatives were initiated. The patient had recurrent bowel movements, and serial radiographs showed interval decrease of mercury in the descending colon with interval increase in the cecum and ascending colon. Colonoscopic decompression was done successfully. The colon was evacuated, and a repeat radiograph showed decreased hyperdense material in the colon. Three months later, a repeat radiograph showed no hyperdense material in the colon. Conclusion. Ingested elemental mercury can be retained in the colon. Although there are no established guidelines for colonoscopic decompression, our patient showed significant improvement. We believe further studies on this subject are needed to guide management practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-612394b0597b4c40b0640780a5fa422f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9627 1687-9635 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-612394b0597b4c40b0640780a5fa422f2025-02-03T05:46:13ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96271687-96352018-01-01201810.1155/2018/10106781010678A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury ToxicityAli Nayfeh0Thamer Kassim1Noor Addasi2Faysal Alghoula3Christopher Holewinski4Zachary Depew5Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USACatholic Health Initiative (CHI), Englewood, CO, USADivision of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USABackground. Mercury exists in multiple forms: elemental, organic, and inorganic. Its toxic manifestations depend on the type and magnitude of exposure. The role of colonoscopic decompression in acute mercury toxicity is still unclear. We present a case of acute elemental mercury toxicity secondary to mercury ingestion, which markedly improved with colonoscopic decompression. Clinical Case. A 54-year-old male presented to the ED five days after ingesting five ounces (148 cubic centimeters) of elemental mercury. Examination was only significant for a distended abdomen. Labs showed elevated serum and urine mercury levels. An abdominal radiograph showed radiopaque material throughout the colon. Succimer and laxatives were initiated. The patient had recurrent bowel movements, and serial radiographs showed interval decrease of mercury in the descending colon with interval increase in the cecum and ascending colon. Colonoscopic decompression was done successfully. The colon was evacuated, and a repeat radiograph showed decreased hyperdense material in the colon. Three months later, a repeat radiograph showed no hyperdense material in the colon. Conclusion. Ingested elemental mercury can be retained in the colon. Although there are no established guidelines for colonoscopic decompression, our patient showed significant improvement. We believe further studies on this subject are needed to guide management practices.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/1010678 |
| spellingShingle | Ali Nayfeh Thamer Kassim Noor Addasi Faysal Alghoula Christopher Holewinski Zachary Depew A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity Case Reports in Medicine |
| title | A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity |
| title_full | A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity |
| title_fullStr | A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity |
| title_short | A Challenging Case of Acute Mercury Toxicity |
| title_sort | challenging case of acute mercury toxicity |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/1010678 |
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