Successful treatment of potentially fatal heavy metal poisonings.
Pure inorganic heavy metal ingestions for suicidal intent are a rare occurrence. Most case reports on this subject focus on the serious neurological, hepatic, or renal side effects. We describe two cases of significant heavy metal poisonings (arsenic trioxide and mercuric chloride) that were successfully managed with aggressive decontamination and combined chelation therapy. Both chemicals were obtained in pure powder form through the Internet.
Wang
Ernest E
EE
Division of Emergency Medicine, Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Illinois 60201, USA.
Mahajan
Niraj
N
Wills
Brandon
B
Leikin
Jerrold
J
D000328:Adult; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D003666:Decontamination; D004112:Dimercaprol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000506:poisoning*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D010087:Oxides / Q000506:poisoning*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012997:Solvents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004113:Succimer / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D012997:Solvents; D004112:Dimercaprol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D004113:Succimer; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide