Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Case Report

Cases of acute mercury poisoning by mercury vapor exposure during the demolition of a fluorescent lamp factory: Sang Yoon Do, Chul Gab Lee, Jae Yoon Kim, Young Hoon Moon, Min Sung Kim, In Ho Bae, Han Soo Song; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:19. Published online June 20, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0184-x

Background

In 2015, workers dismantling a fluorescent lamp factory in Korea were affected by mercury poisoning from exposure to mercury vapor.

Case presentation

Eighteen out of the 21 workers who participated in the demolition project presented with symptoms of poisoning and, of these, 10 had persistent symptoms even at 18 months after the initial exposure to mercury vapor. Early symptoms of 18 workers included a general skin rash, pruritus, myalgia, sleep disturbance, and cough and sputum production. Following alleviation of these initial symptoms, late symptoms, such as easy fatigue, insomnia, bad dreams, and anxiety disorder, began to manifest in 10 out of 18 patients. Seven workers underwent psychiatric care owing to sleep disturbance, anxiety disorder, and depression, and three workers underwent dermatologic treatment for hyperpigmentation, erythematous skin eruption, and chloracne-like skin lesions. Furthermore, three workers developed a coarse jerky movement, two had swan neck deformity of the fingers, and two received care at an anesthesiology clinic for paresthesia, such as burning sensation, cold sensation, and pain. Two workers underwent urologic treatment for dysfunction of the urologic system and impotence. However, symptomatic treatment did not result in satisfactory relief of these symptoms.

Conclusion

Awareness of the perils of mercury and prevention of mercury exposure are critical for preventing health hazards caused by mercury vapor. Chelation therapy should be performed promptly following mercury poisoning to minimize damage.

Citations

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Case Report

A Case of Cerebellar Dysfunction After Acute Organotin Poisoning: Suk Hwan Kim, Cheol In Yoo, Jee Hyun Kwon, Jin Ho Bae, Young Cheol Weon, Yangho Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(3):289-292. Published online September 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.3.289

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
We performed a follow-up study of an acute organotin poisoning case on the neurological sequelae that remained after 3 years since diagnosis.
CASE
In the previous study, a 43-year-old male was reported for acute organotin poisoning. After 3 years, the neurological sequelae were studied using neurological examination, cognitive tests, neurobehavioral tests (by CAYSYS 2000(TM)), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT. Upon neurological examination and other tests, orientation was improved compared to that 3 years before, but cerebellar ataxia, dysmetria and dysdiadochokinesia remained the same, with little change. Brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed mildly decreased metabolic activity in the pons and in both cerebellar hemispheres.
DISCUSSION
This is the first brain MRI study on cerebellar atrophy caused by organotin poisoning. Cerebellar ataxia was confirmed by decreased metabolic activity in 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Citations

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Safety and Health at Work.2012; 3(4): 243. CrossRef
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Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef
Occupational Neurologic Disorders in Korea
Yangho Kim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yong-Hun Yun, Myoung-Soon Oh
Journal of Clinical Neurology.2010; 6(2): 64. CrossRef

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