Iatrogenic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Associated with Acupuncture
10.35827/cp.2023.22.2.136
- Author:
Jin Sun KANG
1
;
Sung Hoon LEE
;
Tae Ki CHOI
;
Su Min LEE
;
Eun Ju NA
;
Eun Young KANG
;
Hyun Kyung LEE
;
Youn Kyung CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kwangju Christian Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:
Clinical Pain
2023;22(2):136-140
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Iatrogenic spinal cord injury resulting from direct needle injection is an exceedingly uncommon occurrence, mainly owing to the spinal cord’s protection by surrounding bony structures, with only a few exceptions, and its location a few centimeters beneath the skin. This study presents a case of a 27-year-old female who experienced cervical spinal cord injury following acupuncture treatment around the C3–4 region. The patient reported tingling paresthesia and persistent pain in her left arm for 1 month postinjection, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealing a syringomyelia in the direction of the injection.As determined at the follow-up, after undergoing 3 months of conservative treatments, including cervical intervention, medication, and education, her pain was reduced by approximately half. Cervical injections should be administered by a knowledgeable specialist well versed in musculoskeletal anatomy and potential complications, aided by radiological examination.
