Ammoniated mercury ointment as a cause of peripheral neuropathy.
A 72-year-old Caucasian man with widespread psoriasis presented with a sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy following 40 years' use of an ammoniated mercury ointment. No clinical involvement of his central nervous system was noted and no other possible causative factors for his peripheral nerve disease were found. D-Penicillamine treatment induced mercuriuresis and blood levels of mercury fell to normal. His peripheral neuropathy improved slowly after normalisation of the serum mercury. It is believed that his condition was caused by percutaneous absorption of mercury. Ammoniated mercury ointments should have no role in the current management of skin disorders.
Kern
F
F
Department of Dermatology, Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Roberts
N
N
Ostlere
L
L
Langtry
J
J
Staughton
R C
RC
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000641:Ammonia / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009824:Ointments; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy
D009824:Ointments; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D000641:Ammonia; C028431:mercuric chloride, ammoniated