Acupuncture-Induced Cranial Epidural Abscess: Case Report and Review of the L...

chenyaoxin

                                                                                                                                                                        [size=7.000000pt]- [size=10.000000pt]BACKGROUND: [size=10.000000pt]Acupuncture is a common form of alternative medicine thatis used for pain control among other modalities of treatment. It is a relativelysafe procedure, but complications, including those of infectious etiology, maystill occur.
                                        [size=7.000000pt]- [size=10.000000pt]CASE DESCRIPTION: [size=10.000000pt]A 47-year-old immunosuppressed woman presentedwith fever, altered level of consciousness, dysphasia, and a left occipital sub-galeal fluctuant mass after acupuncture for headaches in the same area. Im-aging demonstrated subgaleal and epidural collection localized in the leftoccipital region.
                                        [size=10.000000pt]She underwent urgent surgical evacuation of both collections. Cultures fromintraoperative specimens grew [size=10.000000pt]Streptococcus anginosus[size=10.000000pt]. The patient startedtargeted antibiotic treatment leading to complete recovery.
                                        [size=7.000000pt]- [size=10.000000pt]CONCLUSIONS: [size=10.000000pt]To our knowledge, this is the first report of intracranial ab-scess after acupuncture. Given the worldwide application of this alternativetreatment, physicians, acupuncturists, and the general public should be aware ofthe possibility of this rare but serious complication.