PERIPHERAL POLYNEUROPATHY DUE TO CHRONIC USE OF TOPICAL AMMONIATED MERCURY

Background: Despite their potentially disastrous side effects, topical mercury salts can still be found as ingredients in some over-the-coun ter preparations or local remedies. Case Report: Peripheral polyneurop athy as a result of chronic ammoniated mercury poisoning was studied a nd followed over 2 years. A 36-year-old man developed peripheral polyn europathy following chronic perianal use of an ammoniated mercury oint ment. Highly elevated blood and urine mercury levels were found. Sural nerve biopsy showed mixed axonal degeneration-demyelination. There aa s progressive improvement of his symptoms over 2 years but neurophysio logical examination revealed incomplete recovery. Conclusion: The avai lability of safer drugs should result in a complete ban of these dange rous compounds.