Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002 Jan; 146(4): 172-5.

[Bilateral pneumothorax in a young woman after acupuncture]

Ramnarain D, Braams R.

Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, afd. Heelkunde/Intensive Care, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht.

A 30-year-old woman presented at the emergency department with severe bilateral chest pain and shortness of breath. The complaints began after acupuncture treatment along the spine and paraspinal region of the thorax the previous day. Further examination revealed bilateral pneumothorax. Two days after insertion of chest drains, the patient was able to leave the hospital in a good condition. Bilateral pneumothorax after acupuncture of the thorax is a rare complication and its precise incidence is unknown. Acupuncturists as well as general practitioners and emergency room physicians should be aware that acupuncture of the thorax can lead to unilateral as well as bilateral pneumothorax.