[Pneumothorax after acupuncture: clinical presentation and management].

INTRODUCTION

Pneumothorax is a rare but dangerous complication of acupuncture. Because of its rarity, there are few reports in literature and, therefore little information regarding clinical and therapeutic aspects. This article aims to analyze the clinical presentation, management and follow-up of patients with pneumothorax after acupuncture.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with post-acupuncture pneumothorax evaluated in a tertiary hospital during a five-year period (2001-2006).

RESULTS

Five patients (3 male and 2 female), mean age 46 years (30-73) were included. All patients but one (who had a bilateral pneumothorax) had left-sided pneumothorax . Chest pain, which was the initial symptom in all patients was severe in three cases and mild in two. Four patients underwent tube thoracostomy (pig-tail catheter), three of them immediately after admission and the other after a failed 12-hour conservative treatment period. One patient had a successful conservative management. All had an excellent outcome and were asymptomatic and exhibited a normal chest X-ray at 6-month follow-up

CONCLUSION

In all patients, the initial symptom was chest pain, of varying intensity. Tube thoracostomy was the therapeutic modality most frequently employed. All patients had a successful outcome with no further complications.