Acute mercury poisoning (acrodynia) mimicking pheochromocytoma in an adolescent.
A 14-year-old boy was seen because of irritability, insomnia, lethargy, and profuse sweating, together with hypertension (blood pressure: 160/120 mm Hg), tachycardia, and a diffuse erythematous rash with desquamation of the palms and soles. Initial biochemical investigation suggested a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, but subsequently a history of exposure to mercury vapor was obtained. This case emphasizes the clinical and biochemical similarities between mercury poisoning (acrodynia) and pheochromocytoma.
Henningsson
C
C
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Hoffmann
S
S
McGonigle
L
L
Winter
J S
JS
D000170:Acrodynia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*
D008628:Mercury