Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025
05:19
Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension
Published on: September 1, 2023
1.6K
Case series: acupuncture-related pneumothorax
Francesca Th'ng1, Kailing Adriel Rao2, Po Yu Huang2
1Acute and Emergency Care Department, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. Francesca_is@hotmail.com.
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 12, 2022
Summary
Pneumothorax is a rare but serious adverse event (AE) from acupuncture. Patients often aren't informed of risks, leading to delayed care. Emergency physicians must consider acupuncture history in patients with chest symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Patient safety
- Complementary and alternative medicine
Background:
- Acupuncture is a popular global therapy.
- Pneumothorax is an under-recognized acupuncture-related adverse event (AE).
- Lack of public awareness can delay critical medical attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate acupuncture-related pneumothoraces.
- To highlight under-recognition of this AE by practitioners and the public.
- To emphasize the need for prompt medical evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Case series of acupuncture-related pneumothoraces diagnosed in an emergency department.
- Retrospective and prospective data collection.
- Patient interviews regarding pre-treatment counseling and post-treatment symptom reporting.
Main Results:
- 0.84% of pneumothoraces were acupuncture-related (4/474) between 2017-2021.
- Patients were not informed of potential serious AEs or aware of risks.
- Acupuncturists showed a lack of awareness regarding this specific AE.
Conclusions:
- Pneumothorax can be life-threatening, requiring prompt medical intervention.
- History-taking for chest pain/breathlessness should include recent acupuncture.
- Emergency physicians need vigilance for early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Pneumothorax-II
297
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
297
01:26Pneumothorax-I
310
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
310
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
458
Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
458