Acupuncture Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acupuncture, including details on alternative medicine, uses, benefits, treatment, chinese medicine.

Video-assisted thorascopic removal of migratory acupuncture needle causing pneumothorax.

von Riedenauer WB, Baker MK, Brewer RJ

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. vonriedenauer@yahoo.com

We report the case of a 25-year-old African-American man presenting to the Henry Ford Hospital emergency department with acute dyspnea secondary to a pneumothorax resulting from a migratory acupuncture needle. The patient received acupuncture treatment approximately 5 years prior to this presentation for treatment of posttraumatic chronic right shoulder pain. Chest radiography revealed retained needles in his right shoulder girdle and a needle overlying the thoracic cage with an attendant pneumothorax. Catheter aspiration for simple pneumothorax provided immediate symptomatic relief. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was then used to remove the migratory acupuncture needle from the chest wall. The patient recovered without complication and was discharged to home.

Published 14 March 2007 in Chest, 131(3): 899-901.
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