Paraplegia caused by spinal infection after acupuncture.
METHODS
Case report of a 64-year-old man with psoas abscesses, epidural abscess and spondylitis after acupuncture.


OBJECTIVE
To report a case of paraplegia caused by spinal infection after acupuncture.


METHODS
Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
A 64-year-old man came to an emergency room because of severe back pain. At 3 days prior to visit, the patient received acupuncture therapy to the low back with a needle about 10 cm in length because of back pain. Pain was aggravated gradually for 3 days. Escherichia coli sepsis developed with altered mentality during admission. At hospital day 9, he regained his consciousness and was found to have paraplegia. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abscesses of bilateral psoas muscles and spondylitis with epidural abscess. After conservative management with intravenous administration of antibiotics, infection was controlled but the patient remained paraplegic (ASIA scale C L1 level) without neurological recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Paraplegia might result from complications of an acupuncture therapy.
Bang
M S
MS
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Lim
S H
SH
D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000382:microbiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents