title: Necrotising fasciitis after acupuncture treatment in an immunocompetent patient.
abstract: A 42-year old male with no significant medical history was admitted to our hospital with a painful, red, swollen right arm and fever. The rash and swelling had started in the cubital fossa. 7 days earlier, needles had been placed exactly at that site during an acupuncture treatment. After deterioration of his condition, surgical exploration of the arm revealed necrotising fasciitis. Although acupuncture is a relatively safe intervention, serious complications do occur. Necrotising fasciitis after acupuncture has been described in immunocompromised patients. To the best of our knowledge this is the first immunocompetent patient with necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock, caused by acupuncture.
authors.affiliation: VU medisch centrum School of Medical Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ariene Wypkjen
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Glas
authors.affiliation: VU medisch centrum School of Medical Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anna M F M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jüttner
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albertus Jozef
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kooter
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003646:Debridement; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents