Case Report

Pneumothorax Secondary to Acupuncture Therapy

Authors: Ryan J. Chauffe, BS, Ann L. Duskin, BS, BA

Abstract

A 27-year-old medical student seeking acupuncture therapy for a right levator scapular muscle spasm developed acute dyspnea, chest pain, and nonproductive cough within minutes following the treatment. The patient was later diagnosed with a 30% pneumothorax of the right lung. Pneumothorax is a well-known adverse effect of medical procedures such as central line placement, thoracocentesis and transbronchial lung biopsy. This case illustrates another iatrogenic cause of pneumothorax—acupuncture-induced pneumothorax. A review of the literature since 1985 reveals nine case reports of acupuncture-induced pneumothorax.


Key Points


* The increasing use of acupuncture therapy will lead to an inevitable rise in serious adverse events.


* Pneumothorax is a potential adverse outcome of acupuncture therapy.


* The medical community should have an elevated level of suspicion for serious adverse outcomes secondary to acupuncture therapy.

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