TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Mercury Poisoning A1 - Williams, Saralyn R. A1 - Thurman, R. Jason A2 - Knoop, Kevin J. A2 - Stack, Lawrence B. A2 - Storrow, Alan B. A2 - Thurman, R. Jason PY - 2021 T2 - The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e AB - Mercury occurs in three different forms (elemental, inorganic, and organic), each with its own clinical pattern of poisoning. Elemental mercury (“quicksilver”) is found in old thermometers and sphygmomanometers. Elemental mercury poisoning is associated with inhalation of volatilized mercurial ions, which may occur after vacuuming or heating. Manifestations include cough, fevers, chills, and dyspnea. Acute interstitial pneumonitis may occur and may progress to severe lung injury and death. Inorganic mercury poisoning usually occurs from the ingestion of the mercurial salts. Initial presentation is acute caustic gastroenteritis that may be hemorrhagic. Renal failure is a prominent finding in these patients. Organic mercury poisoning occurs from ingestion of short-chain alkyl mercurial compounds. Methylmercury distributes into brain tissue and causes neurologic disease such as ataxia, paresthesias, visual difficulties, movement disorders, and speech difficulties. Methylmercury is also a known teratogen. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181057080 ER -