Reconstruction of the Abdominal Wall Secondary to Mercury-Induced Granulomas in a Patient with ASIA Syndrome and Gym Nephropathy

Abstract

 Mercury is a less recognized cause of heavy metal poisoning(1). Typically, mercury exposure occurs through the consumption of methylmercury in seafood, inhalation of elemental mercury vapors, or accidental or intentional injection for various purposes(2). Elemental mercury injection is rare, with only about 72 cases reported in the literature between 1923 and 1995. Direct subcutaneous injection or extravasation of mercury injected into blood vessels can produce local granulomas and abscesses(3). Generally, cutaneous deposits of elemental mercury cause limited systemic effects, but infiltration into different layers of subcutaneous cellular tissue, fasciae, and muscle can represent a complication at the time of resection(4-5).