Mercury ingestion retrieved by colonoscopy - 23/08/11
Doi : 10.1016/j.gie.2009.04.030
| Commentary Most mercury exposure occurs by ingestion of organic mercury compounds in contaminated fish, but a host of other exposures is known, including mercury in antiseptics, vaccines, dental amalgams, and atmospheric fumes given off from volcanoes, by coal-fired power plants, and during gold production. Rarely is elemental mercury poisoning a problem because, at least experimentally, less than 0.01% of ingested mercury is absorbed and, therefore, broken, lead-containing thermometers, and ruptured Cantor-tubes were not considered to pose dangerous exposures. This case is no different, and it is likely that had the mercury not been removed it would have caused little or no harm. That being said, I agree it was better to remove it than to leave it, although my opinion is based on emotion, not evidence-based science. Consider mercury poisoning when a patient has peripheral neuropathy, pink scaly skin, kidney dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Because mercury blocks the degradation of epinephrine, such patients also may exhibit signs of adrenergic excess, and resemble one with a pheochromocytoma. Hg is the symbol for mercury and derives from the Latin hydrargyrum, a portmanteau word meaning water and silver. The element was named after the messenger of the Gods, known for his speed and mobility, who is usually protrayed as sporting winged shoes, a winged ptasos, and carrying a caduceus. Medical uses and availability of elemental mercury are quite limited these days, and so this case should be treasured as one that most of us will never see again. Lawrence J. Brandt, MD Associate Editor for Focal Points |
© 2009
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Publié par Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés.
Vol 70 - N° 3
P. 559-560 - septembre 2009 Retour au numéro
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