A Teenage Male with Fever, Headaches and Body Aches

Author: Czolgosz TJ, Kannikeswaran N, Stankovic C.

Source: Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Year: 2015

Comment:

The researchers conclude, "The differential diagnosis of secondary hypertension is broad, but the ED physician should consider heavy metal poisoning in those patients presenting with recalcitrant hypertension, acrodynia, or hypertension in conjunction with new neuropsychiatric complaints."  

Abstract / Excerpt:

"A 17-year-old African American male had recurrent emergency department (ED) visits or hypertension resistant to initial treatment, which resulted in multiple hospital admissions.  Hypertension was associated with significant weight loss, peripheral neuropathy and night sweats. An extensive laboratory and imaging workup ruled out renal, cardiac, rheumatologic and endocrine causes for his symptoms. Ultimately, a more detailed history and toxicology consultation lead to the cause for his persistent symptoms: mercury poisoning."

Citation:

Czolgosz TJ, Kannikeswaran N, Stankovic C. A Teenage Male with Fever, Headaches and Body Aches. Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 2015; doi: 10.1016/j.cpem.2015.04.009.