Bilateral pneumothoraces as a complication of acupuncture.
Pneumothorax developing secondary to acupuncture is rare. However, in an undiagnosed case, it may cause fatality. The real incidence of acupuncture-related pneumothorax is not known but is acknowledged to be underdiagnosed and under-reported. We describe pneumothorax occurring in a 52-year-old woman who developed bilateral pneumothoraces, with one side being a tension pneumothorax, immediately following acupuncture. The needle was inserted at a paravertebral point at the level of the third vertebral spinous process.
Su
J W
JW
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre, Mistri Wing, 17 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168752. bottle1001@yahoo.com
Lim
C H
CH
Chua
Y L
YL
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic