Cervical subdural empyema following acupuncture.
A review of the literature reveals only a few cases of spinal subdural empyema. Etiologies of spinal subdural empyema include hematogenous spread from skin lesions, systemic sepsis, direct spread from spinal osteomyelitis and complications of discography. However, in this report, we describe a patient who developed spinal subdural empyema following several cervical acupuncture sessions. Operative treatment with adequate laminectomy, removal of abscess, and copious irrigation resulted in good recovery. Microbiologic culture study of pus obtained at surgery was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The need for sterilization procedures for acupuncture is emphasized and a brief review of the relevant literature is presented.
Chen
Ming-Hong
MH
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Chen
Mei-Hsiu
MH
Huang
Jing-Shan
JS
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D013354:Empyema, Subdural / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management