Chronic inorganic mercury induced peripheral neuropathy.
We report the clinical features, electrophysiological studies, and morphometric analysis of sural nerve pathology in a patient with polyneuropathy due to inorganic mercury intoxication. He developed slowly progressive generalized paralysis of all limbs after 3 months ingestion of herb drugs which contained mercuric sulfate. Electrophysiologic studies revealed axonal polyneuropathy involving both motor and sensory fibers. Sural nerve biopsy demonstrated axonal degeneration with demyelination and a predominant loss of large myelinated fibers. His muscle strength showed only mild improvement after 2 years' follow-up. We concluded that inorganic mercury exposure may induce severe axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy in humans and that neurological deficits may persist in severe cases.
Chu
C C
CC
Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Huang
C C
CC
Ryu
S J
SJ
Wu
T N
TN
D001706:Biopsy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008628:Mercury