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Bilateral pneumothorax after acupuncture treatment.
Miyuki Nishie1, Katsunori Masaki2, Yohei Kayama3
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
BMJ Case Reports
|March 2, 2021
Summary
Acupuncture treatment can lead to bilateral pneumothorax, especially in individuals with thin subcutaneous tissue. Patients should be informed about potential chest pain and breathing difficulties post-procedure.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy.
- Pneumothorax is a condition where air leaks into the space between the lungs and chest wall.
Observation:
- A 31-year-old physician developed bilateral pneumothorax after acupuncture.
- She had a low BMI (16.9) and no prior respiratory issues or smoking history.
- Ultrasound confirmed thin tissue (22mm) between epidermis and visceral pleura at the needle insertion site.
Findings:
- Acupuncture needles can potentially reach the pleura in areas with thin subcutaneous tissue.
- The patient experienced chest discomfort shortly after the procedure but attributed it to acupuncture.
Implications:
- Practitioners should consider needle length and insertion site in relation to patient anatomy.
- Patients need counseling on recognizing symptoms like chest pain and dyspnea immediately after acupuncture.
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