Chylothorax caused by acupuncture

Abstract

Chylothorax, the accumulation of fatty fluid within the chest cavity, is associated with multiple etiologies including surgical injuries. A rare complication of acupuncture in a 37-year-old woman who developed left pneumothorax and pleural fluid collection after acupuncture was performed on the neck and upper back is described. Chest tube drainage resulted in complete lung expansion, and analysis of the milky fluid revealed chyle leakage. Conservative treatment with a diet low in lipids and rich in medium-chain triacylglycerols allowed extubation. Acupuncture-induced thoracic duct injury, although extremely rare, should be considered as a cause of chylothorax. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.