Mercury inhalation poisoning and acute lung injury.
Acute mercury inhalation poisoning is a rare cause of acute lung injury. It is usually fatal because of progressive pulmonary failure. We experienced a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after illicit use of mercury vapor for hemorrhoid treatment; he developed acute chemical pneumonitis following exposure to mercury vapor. Prompt treatment with corticosteroids and penicillamine for acute chemical pneumonitis was instituted; radiologic pulmonary infiltrates disappeared within a week, but late phase neurologic sequelae and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis progressed.
Lim
H E
HE
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Shim
J J
JJ
Lee
S Y
SY
Lee
S H
SH
Kang
S Y
SY
Jo
J Y
JY
In
K H
KH
Kim
H G
HG
Yoo
S H
SH
Kang
K H
KH
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000931:Antidotes; D010396:Penicillamine