Review Article

Adverse Events of Acupuncture: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

Table 4

Pneumothoraxes associated with acupuncture (13 cases).

First author/year (reference)Country Cases age/sexDisease treated Punctured sitePractitionerFollowup

Kao [58]Taiwan28/FBack painThoracic spine bilaterally Not specified Recovered (2 d)
Leung 2002 [59]HK70/FAsthma Thoracic spine bilaterallyAcupuncturist Not stated
Iwadate 2003 [60]Japan 72/FStiff neckThoracic cavityAcupuncture clinic Death
Peuker 2004 [61]Germany38/FBreathing problem Points at chest and upper back (LU1 and BL13)Medical acupuncturist Recovered (1 wk)
Saifeldeen 2004 [62]UK31/MShoulder painRight scapular region Not specified Recovered (1 wk)
Lee 2005 [63]HK36/FBack pain Upper backRegistered TCM practitioner Recovered (5 d)
Chauffe 2006 [64]USA27/MUpper back painUpper back (T2-8 levels)Not specified Recovered (2 d)
Su 2007 [65]Singapore 52/FChronic bronchitis Upper back (T3)Not specified Recovered (2 d)
Von Riedenauer 2007 [66]USA25/MShoulder painMigration of embedded needles Not specified Recovered (1 wk)
Juss 2008 [67]UK50/FNeck and back painAcupoints at upper back (BL13, BL14, BL15, and BL16)PhysiotherapistRecovered (2 d)
Richter 2008 [68]New Zealand35/FBack painBack region PhysiotherapistRecovered (10 d)
Kennedy 2010 [69] USA54/FMusculoskeletal painLeft side chestNot specified Recovered (?)
Inayama 2011 [70]Japan37/FNot stated Neck and upper backAcupuncturist Recovered (12 d)