[Intravenous injection of metallic mercury--case report].

A case of a 16 year old male who injected intravenously metallic mercury is presented. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to slightly elevated fever and hemoptysis. Both symptoms presented themselves 18 months following intravenous injection of metallic mercury. Radiological examination disclosed fine metallic interstitial shadowing in the lung parenchyma. Metallic shadows were also present in the subcutaneous region of the cubital fossa. CT scans and USG examination disclosed similar deposition of metal in the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes and heart. The mercury serum and urine levels exceeded the normal values by hundreds. Encountered diagnostic problems are presented, also prognosis basing on data from literature is discussed.