Acupuncture needle penetrating the stomach cavity was removed by endoscopic-assisted device

In a case report, acupuncture needle penetrating the stomach cavity of a woman patient after acupuncture therapy was removed by endoscopic-assisted device according to a publication in journal Clinical Endoscopy.

Doctors in Seoul, Korea reported that a 47-year-old woman was presented with a 2-day history of abdominal pain after recently having received acupuncture treatment for abdominal discomfort in a local clinic. Her abdominal condition worsened after acupuncture and was admitted into the hospital. Her vital signs were stable; blood test and chest radiography were not found abnormal changes.

However, abdominal computed tomography revealed a high-attenuated linear image embedded in the posterior wall of stomach antrum. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy found a needle penetrating the stomach. The needle was removed and retrieved from the stomach. The patient was treated with antibiotics for 2 days and recovered completely.

Although acupuncture is a safe therapy this case report showed that complication could happen if the strict rule of treatment is not followed.

Reference:

Lee SW et al., A Needle Penetrating the Stomach Cavity after Acupuncture. Clin Endosc. May 2014; 47(3): 258–261.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058545/