Surgical Management of Iatrogenic Mercury Poisoning From Subcutaneous Injection Into the Arm

Abstract

Background Mercury, an element with threats of severe toxic insult to humans and no biological function, has a surprisingly extensive record of human exposure. Regardless of hesitancies toward its harmfulness, it has been historically identified with an almost supernatural power to provide protection from evil and sickness, give good fortune, lend aid in athletic undertakings, or even allow one to achieve immortality. Mercury poisoning is an iatrogenic disease even today as people attempt to achieve these effects through volitional injections into their body by practitioners. Although an uncommon practice in the United States, awareness of patient presentation after volitional injections of elemental mercury is necessary for appropriate treatment of these patients. We aim to increase awareness of the cultural practice of subcutaneous injections of mercury, as it is uncommonly seen in the United States, to contribute a broader understanding to the patient's medical presentation and describe an approach and the impact of medical and surgical intervention. Methods In this report, we describe a rare case of elemental mercury poisoning secondary to volitional subcutaneous injection to the arm. Initial management of care through chelation therapy and monitoring of renal and serum mercury levels in addition to symptoms of systemic spread was overseen by an internal medicine physician and poison control. Surgical intervention via full-thickness excision of the visible mercury to the right arm followed by local flap and skin grafting reconstruction was performed. Conclusions Mercury poisoning from intentional subcutaneous administration is an uncommon patient presentation in the United States; however, knowledge of management of this rare condition is important for effective management of iatrogenic mercury toxicity.