title: An acute cervical epidural hematoma as a complication of dry needling.
abstract: METHODS
  A retrospective case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to report an unusual complication of dry needling.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Epidural hematomas after dry needling are quite unusual and only a few cases of epidural hematoma after acupuncture have been reported in the literature. We are presenting the first report of acute cervical epidural hematoma after dry needling.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 58-year-old woman presented with quadriparesis and neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a hyperintense mass in the T2-weighted magnetic resonance image at the C2-T2 level, which proved to be an epidural hematoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms related to the epidural hematoma resolved after decompression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though rare, epidural hematomas are a possible complication when applying needling therapies. Therapists need to have precise knowledge of human anatomy, especially in the region where he or she will puncture. Continuous attention must be paid throughout the whole procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyangsook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dae-Jean
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jo
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D000208:Acute Disease; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003664:Decompression; D005260:Female; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011677:Punctures; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome