# Intrapulmonary migration of a fractured acupuncture needle: a case report

## TL;DR

A patient had a foreign body in her lung years after acupuncture, which was successfully removed through surgery.

## Contribution

This case highlights the rare but serious risk of intrapulmonary migration of acupuncture needles.

## Key findings

- A fractured acupuncture needle was found in the lung years after treatment.
- The foreign body was successfully removed using 3D reconstruction and indocyanine green localization.
- The patient recovered smoothly post-surgery.

## Abstract

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.

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.

Acupuncturists and surgeons should remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with acupuncture.