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Chronic inorganic mercury induced peripheral neuropathy
Author(s) -
Chu C.C.,
Huang C.C.,
Ryu S.J.,
Wu T.N.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1998.tb07331.x
Subject(s) - polyneuropathy , sural nerve , axonal degeneration , medicine , peripheral neuropathy , paralysis , pathology , mercury poisoning , nerve biopsy , electromyography , electrophysiology , peripheral , ingestion , toxicity , surgery , endocrinology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , diabetes mellitus
We report the clinical features, electrophysiological studies, and morphometric analysis of sural nerve pathology in a patient with polyneuropathy due to inorganic mercury intoxication. He developed slowly progressive generalized paralysis of all limbs after 3 months ingestion of herb drugs which contained mercuric sulfate. Electrophysiologic studies revealed axonal polyneuropathy involving both motor and sensory fibers. Sural nerve biopsy demonstrated axonal degeneration with demyelination and a predominant loss of large myelinated fibers. His muscle strength showed only mild improvement after 2 years' follow‐up. We concluded that inorganic mercury exposure may induce severe axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy in humans and that neurological deficits may persist in severe cases.