US EPA

4971655 

Technical Report 

Focal Mercury Toxicity: A Case Report 

Cole, JK; Holbrook, JL 

1994 

19A 

4 

A 26 year old woman who worked as a medical assistant presented with a 3 week history of swelling and redness over the dorsum of her right index finger. She had suffered an open canine puncture wound 1 week prior to the start of symptoms. A cephalosporin antibiotic had been prescribed for treatment, but no improvement was noted. X-Ray films were taken to rule out osteomyelitis, and multiple radiopaque particles were noted. The patient recalled having spilled mercury (7439976) on her hands while filling a manometer, but had forgotten about it after washing the hand. This incident had reportedly occurred soon after the canine bite. The particles were surgically removed and the diagnosis of subcutaneous mercury deposition was confirmed. No complications were noted and the patient was symptom free 1 year following the surgery. The authors suggest that the possibility of a locally toxic agent be considered in the evaluation of an apparent cellulitis that fails to respond to normal treatment.