Journal of Medical Cases, ISSN 1923-4155 print, 1923-4163 online, Open Access
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Case Report

Volume 3, Number 6, December 2012, pages 365-369

Administration of Metallic Mercury by an Accidental Puncture in the Hand: A Case Report

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Preoperative lateral and anteroposterior radiographs of the left hand showing multipl scattered metal-density opacities localized in the soft tissues around the metacarpus.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Postoperative lateral radiography of the left hand showing that multipl metallic mercury was left in the soft tissue around the metacarpus.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Postoperative anteroposterior radiography of the left hand showing that multipl metallic mercury was left in the soft tissue around the metacarpus
Figure 4.
Figure 4. a: Histolopathological examination of the removed tissue on light microscopy: Mercury appears as spherical to egg-shaped black pigmented globules and a mixed inflammatory cellular infiltrate composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes and fibrosis of chronic inflammation. H and E x 440. b: Histolopathological examination of the removed tissue on light microscopy: Mercury appears as spherical to egg-shaped black pigmented globules and a mixed inflammatory cellular infiltrate composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes and fibrosis of chronic inflammation. H and E x 220.

Table

Table 1. Blood and 24-h Urine Mercury Levels During Follow-Up of the Patient
 
Mercury Level (blood) µg/LMercury Level (24-h urine) µg/d
17.06.201112.2013.20
31.06.201114.3023.30
16.07.201124.0033.20
01.08.20119.8025.00
17.08.201110.8035.00
15.09.201111.7785.60
17.10.201119.60125.00
31.10.201116.80172.00
21.01.20129.7058.00
16.03.20123.7042.00