Cutaneous Granuloma Revealing Familial Mercury Intoxication

Abstract

Human exposure to mercury is known to lead to major health problems. Mercury toxicity effects multiple organs especially the central nervous system and kidneys. Skin diseases resulting from mercury exposure are various and may reveal intoxications. We report the case of a 60-year-old male who had skin lesions that histologically showed foreign-body reaction with granuloma. The foreign body turned to be mercury. That unveiled paucal symptomatic family intoxication. Blood and urine analysis were run and found heavy metals including mercury surpassing normal range. The source of exposure remained unknown as the patient denied professional exposure or manipulation of inorganic mercury. The family was treated with chelation therapy over seas.