Rev Paul Med. 1990 Jul-Aug; 108(4): 189-91.

[Iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by acupuncture]

Morrone N, Freire JA, Ferreira AK, Dourado AM.

Clinica PneumolÃ³gica do Hospital do Servidor, SÃ£o Paulo.

A 68 year-old white male patient with previous diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema was submitted to acupuncture. The needles were inserted into the precordial area and the patient immediately complained of worsening dyspnea. Four days later pneumothorax was detected by chest X-rays. A thoracic tube was inserted with total lung expansion.