Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Intentional or accidental injection of mercury into soft tissue is rare. Mercury toxicity typically arises from ingestion or inhalation with instances of subcutaneous injection documented in a limited number of case studies. Most reported cases involve either accidental exposure or deliberate acts, often presenting as painful granulomas, with systemic symptoms a rarity. We present a compelling case involving a 39-year-old woman who developed a localized, painful gluteal lesion filled with mercury following multiple injections of what were purported to be multivitamin ampoules, administered by her ex-husband, a healthcare professional. Remarkably, the patient exhibited a serum mercury level of 345 μg/L without significant systemic manifestations which decreased after a course of treatment with succimer. This report highlights one of the rarest, if not the only documented instance of mercury toxicity caused by subcutaneous injection, potentially with homicidal intent.
Source: Clinical Case Reports
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.71992
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,820
OpenAlex ID: W7128478803