title: Post-mortem CT findings following intentional ingestion of mercuric chloride.
abstract: Mercury is known to be associated with both acute and chronic poisoning. A 36-year-old man intentionally ingested mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) and died within 24h. Post-mortem CT images showed oral, esophageal and gastric wall hyperdense "staining". On toxicological analysis, the blood concentration of mercury was measured at 25.5mg/L; a figure far higher than reported lethal levels. Autopsy was not performed in order to prevent potential inhalation of mercury vapor by pathology staff.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, 57-83 Kavanagh St., Southbank 3006, Vic. 3006, Australia. iino@legal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Morio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iino
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000506:poisoning*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013405:Suicide; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D008627:Mercuric Chloride