Post-acupuncture paravertebral infection: case report and literature review

Keywords: Acupunture complications, musculoeskeletal complications, alternative medicine.

Abstract

AbstractAcupuncture originated in China approximately 2000 years ago and is a growing modality of treatment worldwide sought by patients for a variety of conditions including lumbar pain. We report a case of a 74 years old man who had received acupuncture to treat lower back pain, who subsequently presented an increased in his pain; an infection was diagnosed, and treated. Despite acupuncture can be considered inherently safe in the hands of well-trained practitioners, we found different reports of complications in worldwide literature; most of them minor, and usually as a result of inappropriate technique. The popularity of this alternative treatments, has made organizations, such as World Health Organization (WHO), create guidelines to reassure its safety. The knowledge of the possible complications, allow the early diagnosis and treatment. The case is discussed, and pertinent review of literature is included.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Micaela Besse, Htal Carlos G Durand, CABA, Argentina
Traumatologa de Planta CEMAR 1, CABA, Argentina
Aníbal Sarotto, Hospital Carlos G. Durand, CABA, Argentina
Jefe de Sector de Patologia Espinal del Hospital Carlos G Durand, CABA, Argentina
Jose A. Rosado Pardo, Hospital Carlos G. Durand, CABA, Argentina
Médico especializado en Columna en Hospital Carlos G. Durand, CABA, Argentina
Adriana E. Cubecino, Htal. Carlos G. Durand, CABA, Argentina
Médica traumatóloga en Clínica Chapelco, San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina

References

Salaheldin AY Abusin. Multi-regional abscesses caused by streptococcus milleri following acupuncture. Sudan Med J 2010;46(2):91-94.

Guo Y, Zhao H, Wang F, Li SN, Sun YX, Han MJ, et al. Recommendations for acupuncture in clinical practice guidelines of the national guideline clearinghouse. Chin J Integr Med 2017;23(11):864-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-016-2750-4

Woo PCY, Lin AWC, Lau SKP. Acupuncture transmitted infections Are underdiagnosed, so clinicians should have a high index of suspicion. BMJ 2010;340:c1268. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c1268

Shifen Xu, Lizhen Wang, Emily Cooper, Ming Zhang, Eric Manheimer, Brian Berman, et al. Adverse events of acupuncture: a systematic review of case reports. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:581203. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/581203

World Health Organization. WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014-2023. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013:1-78.

MacPherson H, Thomas K, Walters S, Fitter M. TheYork acupuncture safety study: prospective survey of 34 000 treatments by traditional acupuncturists. BMJ 2001;323(7311):486-7. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7311.486

Lao L, Hamilton GR, Fu J, Berman BM. Is acupuncture safe? A systematic review of case reports. Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9(1):72-83. PMID:12564354

Zhang J, Shang H, Gao X, Ernst E. Acupuncture-related adverse events: a systematic review of the Chinese literature. Bull World Health Organ 2010;88:915-21C. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.10.076737

Salud Pública. Boletín Oficial Nº 29.733. Ministerio de Salud. Septiembre de 2001.

Salud Pública. Resolución 859. Ministerio de Salud, Agosto 2008. http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/140000-144999/144053/norma.htm

Sociedad Argentina de Acupuntura. http://saacupuntura.com.ar/

Published
2019-11-12
How to Cite
Besse, M., Sarotto, A., Rosado Pardo, J. A., & Cubecino, A. E. (2019). Post-acupuncture paravertebral infection: case report and literature review. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 84(4), 420-426. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2019.84.4.990
Section
Case Presentations