CTICasesPulmonary Mercury Embolization (from IV Injection)
Imaging findings
Chest radiographs show a fine, very bright, branching abnormality in the lungs, predominantly anteriorly and at the bases, consistent with mercury emboli. Ancillary imaging reveals a broken thermometer in the abdomen and bright material near the elbow, indicating a history of mercury injection.
Key takeaways
Intravenous mercury injection, often from broken thermometers, leads to pulmonary mercury embolization. The metallic mercury embolizes to small pulmonary vessels, causing obstruction, cytokine release, and acute pulmonary hypertension. This is an unusual form of substance abuse.
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