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Case Reports
. 2006 Apr;13(3):150-2.
doi: 10.1155/2006/898120.

Pneumonitis after inhalation of mercury vapours

J D Glezos  1 , J E Albrecht, R D Gair
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pneumonitis after inhalation of mercury vapours

J D Glezos et al. Can Respir J. 2006 Apr.

Abstract
in English, French

A 43-year-old man presented to hospital with pneumonia but only after discharge from hospital did he admit to deliberate prior inhalation of mercury. His pulmonary involvement appeared to resolve almost completely with antibiotics and supportive care. Nevertheless, persisting elevated urinary excretion of mercury required two courses of chelation therapy. No serious systemic sequelae were observed.

Un homme de 43 ans s’est présenté à l’hôpital atteint de pneumonie, mais ce n’est qu’après son congé de l’hôpital qu’il a admis avoir délibérément inhalé du mercure avant sa consultation. Son atteinte pulmonaire semble s’être résolue presque complètement à l’aide d’antibiotiques et de soins de soutien. Néanmoins, une excrétion élevée de mercure persistante dans l’urine a exigé deux cures de traitement par chélation. Aucune séquelle systémique grave n’a été observée.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest x-ray on admission
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rapid partial clearing of infiltrates noted within three days of admission. Note the radiodense material located in the splenic flexure (arrow)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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