Citation

Smiechowicz J, Skoczynska A, Nieckula-Szwarc A, Kulpa K, Kübler A. SAGE Open Med. Case Rep. 2017; 5: 2050313X17695472.

Affiliation

Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/2050313X17695472

PMID

28321305

PMCID

PMC5347491

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Despite restrictions, mercury continues to pose a health concern. Mercury has the ability to deposit in most parts of the body and can cause a wide range of unspecific symptoms leading to diagnostic mistakes.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We report the case of severe mercury vapour poisoning after occupational exposure in a chloralkali plant worker that resulted in life-threatening respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and quadriparesis.

CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged mechanical ventilation and treatment with penicillamine and spironolactone was used with successful outcome.

Language: en

Keywords

Mercury poisoning; hyperhidrosis; mediastinal emphysema; occupational exposure; polyneuropathies; respiratory insufficiency