Open AccessIntraventricular hemorrhage after acupuncture
Author(s) -
Shin Myoung Cheol,
Park Chan Woo,
Cho Jun Hwi,
Moon Joong Beom,
Kim Ka Eul,
Yang Go Eun,
Lee Hui Young,
Ohk Taek Geun
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/1024907917748147
Subject(s) - medicine , acupuncture , complication , pneumothorax , anesthesia , acupuncture needle , surgery , irritation , migraine , alternative medicine , pathology , immunology
Acupuncture is a traditional treatment method that has been extensively used for centuries in a number of Asian countries for pain control as well as for treatment of various diseases. Acupuncture has been known to be a safe procedure with little side effects, but at times serious complications such as infection, pneumothorax, central or peripheral nerve injury and cardiac injury may occur. Cases of cerebral hemorrhage by acupuncture are rare with few being reported. A 32‐year‐old woman presented with a headache that occurred after acupuncture at posterior neck. We diagnosed her symptoms initially as peripheral nerve irritation by acupuncture and administered analgesic only. However, the final diagnosis was turned up to be intraventricular hemorrhage. The authors emphasize that acupuncturists and emergency physicians should know that acupuncture can lead to intracranial hemorrhage as a serious complication and this should be considered in all causes of headache for diagnosis without prejudice.