Metallic mercury in the gastrointestinal tract. A case of ingested thermometer mercury.
In a healthy, intact gastrointestinal tract, metallic mercury cannot produce symptoms of systemic intoxication. If retained in the appendix, however, the mercury can cause local inflammation and--should penetration result--also systemic poisoning. A case is described in which ingested thermometer mercury was retained in the appendix and thereby constituted an indication for appendectomy.
D000061:Accidents, Home; D001062:Appendectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013821:Thermometers