An Autopsy Case of Bilateral Tension Pneumothorax after Acupuncture / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Acupuncture is one of the most popular complementary therapies in the world. Pneumothorax due to perforation of the lungs by needle insertion is one of the most common and serious complications of acupuncture treatment. Although there have been several case studies of pneumothorax induced by acupuncture, as far as we know there have been no reports on the pathological findings of autopsy cases.<BR>In this report, we describe the pathological findings of an autopsy case of bilateral tension pneumothorax after acupuncture. The patient suffered dyspnea and chest pain soon the completionof an acupuncture treatment, and died 90 min later. Several ecchymoses were macroscopically observed on the parietal pleura in the left and right thoracic cavity, suggesting that needles were inserted into the thoracic cavity and that the lungs were perforated. The many black spots we observed on the parietal pleura along the vertebral column microscopically consisted of a number of dust-like black pigments and macrophages containing these pigments. These spots seemed to have appeared because of the previous insertion of needles.

What Should Residents Learn from Cases of Cardiopulmonary Arrest on Arrival?: The Experience and Significance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Department of Emergency Medicine of a University Hospital / 医学教育

Experience and the significance of cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival (CPAOA) for residents were examined through an investigation of 47 cases of CPAOA at the department of emergency medicine of Saga Medical School Hospital from December 1, 1996, through November 30, 1997. Causes of CPAOA, outcomes, issuance of death certificates or inspection certificates, and whether a judicial inspection was performed were analyzed in each case. The cause of CPAOA was intrinsic in 31 cases and extrinsic in 16 cases. Eleven patients were admitted, one of whom recovered completely. Death certificates were issued in 25 cases, of which 7 underwent judicial inspection. Inspection certificates were issued in 21 cases, all of which underwent judicial inspection. Twenty-nine residents received 3 months of clinical training in the emergency department. The percentages of residents who encountered cases of CPAOA, CPAOA caused by extrinsic factors, cases in which inspection certificates were issued, and cases in which judicial inspection was done were 51.7%, 79.3%, 82.8%, and 89.7%, respectively. These findings show that residents receive practical experience in our department of emergency medicine.