Intrapulmonary migration of a fractured acupuncture needle: a case report

Background Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medical treatment, has been gaining popularity over the years. However, it also presents certain risks. We report a case of a patient who discovered a foreign body in their lung several years after undergoing acupuncture. Case presentation A middle-aged woman presented to our hospital with chest pain. An X-ray revealed a needle-like foreign body in the middle lobe of her right lung. The patient had previously undergone acupuncture treatment for local pain in her lower back and lower extremities many years prior. Based on the imaging findings and her medical history, we hypothesized that the foreign body in her lung was a result of a dislodged acupuncture needle. Through preoperative 3-dimensional reconstruction and indocyanine green localization, we were able to locate the foreign body in the lateral segment of the right middle lobe. We successfully removed the foreign body via wedge resection, and the patient made a smooth recovery post-surgery. Conclusion Acupuncturists and surgeons should remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with acupuncture.