title: Pneumothorax: a complication of needle electromyography of the supraspinatus muscle.
abstract: A patient developed sudden, severe pleuritic chest pain during needle electromyography (EMG) of the right supraspinatus muscle. Chest x-rays revealed a 10% right pneumothorax. The patient was treated conservatively and there was complete resolution one week later. A review of the pertinent anatomy indicates that the supraspinatus muscle overlies the pleural cavity. Indications for needle EMG of the supraspinatus muscle are reviewed. A new technique that minimizes the risk of pneumothorax when performing needle EMG of the supraspinatus muscle is presented.
mesh_terms: D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D009339:Needles; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D012306:Risk