Laparoscopic appendectomy for elemental mercury sequestration in the appendix: A case report
| Autor: | Jan Grosek, Aleš Tomažič, Žan Čebron, Primož Sever, Gregor Norčič |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
business.industry
Mercury poisoning Mercury ingestion Elemental mercury General Medicine Appendix bacterial infections and mycoses medicine.disease digestive system digestive system diseases 03 medical and health sciences surgical procedures operative 0302 clinical medicine medicine.anatomical_structure 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Environmental chemistry Case report medicine Appendectomy 030211 gastroenterology & hepatology Mercury retention business neoplasms |
| Zdroj: | World Journal of Clinical Cases |
| ISSN: | 2307-8960 |
| Popis: | BACKGROUND Despite negligible absorption of elemental mercury after acute ingestion, retention in the appendix with subsequent local and systemic complications is possible. We present a case of elemental mercury sequestration in the appendix, managed by laparoscopic appendectomy. CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old Caucasian female was found unconscious following application of long-lasting insulin detemir and ingestion of elemental mercury in a suicidal attempt. Diagnostic investigations revealed several radiopaque collections in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and elevated mercury levels in the blood. Much of the ingested elemental mercury was eliminated from the GI tract with stools stimulated by several enemas. However, a significant amount of mercury remained sequestrated in the appendix despite all conservative measures. Consequently, following deliberations by an interdisciplinary team of specialists, laparoscopic appendectomy was performed 29 d after the mercury ingestion. The surgery itself and postoperative course were uneventful. CONCLUSION Since conservative measures are often unsuccessful in the management of mercury retention in the appendix, surgery remains a compelling option to prevent possible associated complications. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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