RT Book, Section A1 Williams, Saralyn R. A1 Thurman, R. Jason A2 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Stack, Lawrence B. A2 Storrow, Alan B. A2 Thurman, R. Jason SR Print(0) ID 1181057080 T1 Mercury Poisoning T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw-Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260134940 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181057080 RD 2024/03/28 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.