Perianal Mercury Deposition from a Broken Thermometer in a Small Child

Deposition of mercury in the intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal compartments from a broken thermometer is quite rare. Neither the outcome nor the management for such a situation is certain. We report here a case in a 28-month-old boy who was exposed to elemental mercury from a broken mercury thermometer. Radiographic imaging data showed the mercury was scattered in the intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal pelvic cavity. Laparoscopic surgical procedure was performed, but it failed to remove the mercury deposits. Fortunately, clinical follow-up at 3+ years did not reveal any clinical or biochemical features of mercury toxicity.