Subcutaneous Mercury Injection by a Child: A Histopathology Case Report

Abstract

Intentional subcutaneous injection of mercury by mentally healthy children is rare. Usually, it is seen as a part of suicidal attempt in severely depressed patients or by athletes to enhance their performance. We report a case of a 15-year-old child, inspired by a movie, who deliberately self-injected mercury subcutaneously into his forearm that led to the formation of a non-healing ulcer. Histopathology of the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. A surgical procedure was thereby performed to treat the ulcer and reduce the blood and urinary levels of mercury. However, the patient did not develop clinical signs of chronic poisoning, proving that subcutaneous mercury injection has a low risk of systemic toxicity, and that histopathology plays an important role in diagnosis.

Metallic Mercury in the Soft Tissues of the Hand: Case Report

“…Вредное воздействие металлической ртути на организм во многом зависит от пути ее введения. Тяжелые токсические поражения легких и других внутренних органов с возможными летальными исходами -характерное последствие вдыхания паров ртути (это и самый частый путь ее проникновения в организм) или проглатывания ее неорганических солей [8,25].…”

“…В последующие годы (после 2003 г.) еще ряд авторов представили клинический анализ случаев (от 1 до 4) подкожного введения ртути, в том числе и ятрогенной этиологии [8,22,24,25,26,27,28].…”

A rare case of self-injection of elemental mercury

“…Patients can present with numbness and tingling of peripheries, hearing loss, visual difficulties, gait unsteadiness, tremulousness, desquamating skin rash and emotional and cognitive difficulties [ 6 – 8 ]. Self-subcutaneous injection of elemental mercury is rare and generally does not lead to systemic effects [ 2 ]. Abscess formation is the most common local presentation in patients with self-injection of mercury [ 3 ].…”

“…Although self-injection of elemental mercury is rare it is well documented [ 2 ], often as a part of suicide attempts or among drug users. Unusual instances are that of injection of mercury with the mistaken belief that it would strengthen sport performances [ 2 ]. Our patient was misguided by a movie and it was an experimental act.…”

“…Exposure can be inhalation, ingestion or injection. Self-injection of mercury is very rare but is well documented [ 2 ]. We report a case of deliberate self-injection of mercury by a 15 year old girl, inspired by a movie who subsequently achieved complete recovery following removal of mercury by chelation and tissue exploration of the injected sites.…”