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Traumatic Pneumothorax Secondary to Acupuncture Needling
Ching-Hui Sia1, Aloysius Sheng-Ting Leow2, Benjamin Sieu-Hon Leong3
1Department of Cardiology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore, SGP.
Cureus
|November 8, 2018
Summary
Acupuncture, a pain relief therapy, can rarely cause pneumothorax (collapsed lung). This case report details a patient who developed pneumothorax after acupuncture treatment for neck pain.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Acupuncture is a widely used complementary therapy for pain and nausea management.
- Potential adverse events, though rare, should be recognized by practitioners and patients.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old woman presented with acute right-sided pleuritic chest pain.
- Symptoms began one hour after receiving acupuncture and cupping for chronic neck pain.
- Physical exam revealed decreased breath sounds and hyperresonance on the right, consistent with pneumothorax.
Findings:
- Chest radiography confirmed a right-sided pneumothorax.
- The patient was treated with high-flow oxygen and chest tube insertion.
- Radiographic resolution was achieved within four days, with no recurrence at follow-up.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious complication of acupuncture.
- Awareness of pneumothorax risk is crucial for patient safety in acupuncture practice.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for favorable outcomes.
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