Mercury vapor inhalation from Chinese red (Cinnabar).
BACKGROUND
Acute inhalation of mercury fumes or vapors is a rare but frequently fatal cause of acute lung injury. This report describes a rare cause of mercury inhalation from Chinese red.


METHODS
An 87-year-old male inhaled the vapors from heating Chinese red (Cinnabar, mercury sulphide) intended to treat his foot ulceration. He subsequently developed acute lung injury (progressive dyspnea and acute respiratory failure) that was treated with mechanical ventilation. DMPS (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid) and penicillamine were used as chelating agents, and methylprednisolone pulse therapy was used to treat his pulmonary disease. Despite being extubated once, the patient eventually died from profound hypoxemia.


CONCLUSIONS
A rare case of mercury intoxication was due to inappropriate use of an alternative medicine, Chinese red. This case serves as a reminder of the toxicity of the noxious gas from this substance and the importance of being familiar with alternative medicines.
Ho
Bryan S J
BS
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Ja-liang
JL
Huang
Chung-Chi
CC
Tsai
Ying-Huang
YH
Lin
Meng-Chih
MC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011859:Radiography
D017669:Mercury Compounds; D010100:Oxygen; C034211:cinnabar