Successful transcatheter arterial embolization for a massive hemothorax caused by acupuncture

[摘要] Acupuncture is an alternative treatment for a variety of diseases, and serious complications are rare. We report a case of transcatheter arterial embolization performed in a patient with a massive hemothorax after acupuncture treatment. A 36-year-old woman with no previous medical history was admitted to our hospital with left back pain and respiratory distress after acupuncture treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a left hemothorax and leakage of contrast medium, which was considered to result from an injury to the second intercostal artery , caused by acupuncture treatment. Transcatheter arterial embolization successfully stopped the bleeding, and the hematoma was thoracoscopically removed. No rebleeding was observed 6 months after treatment.

[学科分类] 生物化学工程

[关键词] Transcatheter arterial embolization;Hemothorax;Acupuncture