Citation

Kotera SS, Shankar KC, Rajagopalan S. Indian J. Surg. 2016; 78(5): 411-413.

Affiliation

Department of General Surgery, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Mysore Road, Bangalore, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Springer India)

DOI

10.1007/s12262-016-1534-6

PMID

27994340

Abstract

Elemental mercury poisoning commonly occurs through vapour inhalation as it is well absorbed through the lungs. Administering subcutaneous and intravenous elemental mercury is very uncommon with only a few isolated case reports in literature. We present a case of attempted suicide by subcutaneous injection of elemental mercury, an unusual substance used for suicide. As the attempt at self-injury was not confessed by the patient, diagnosis was challenging. Patient was treated with an initial diagnosis of cellulitis, but with repeated and persistent questioning, a history of self-injection of mercury into the arm was revealed. On confirmation, mercury was aspirated from subcutaneous space similar to liposuction technique under X-ray guidance. Management of subcutaneous injection of elemental mercury with particular emphasis on the need for surgical removal of all available mercury is discussed.

Language: en