A Life-threatening Complication of Acupuncture Theraphy: Bilateral Pneumothorax.

One of the potential complications of acupuncture is pneumothorax, caused by the entry of the needle to the visceral pleura and damaging the lung parenchyma. Our patient suffered a bilateral pneumothorax and sudden respiratory failure. Our intention in this study is to offer a reminder of this rare and life threatening complication with this case report. A 51-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with dyspnea after acupuncture treatment at a hotel spa center. A physical examination revealed no respiratory sound in either lung. A chest X-ray revealed a bilateral pneumothorax. The patient was treated with a bilateral tube thoracostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]