A Fatal Complication of Acupuncture in a Patient with Romatoid Arthritis: Necrotizing Fasciitis

Abstract

Acupuncture is used for some conditions as an alternative to medication or surgical intervention. Acupuncture is a relatively safe procedure but fatal and near fatal complications have been reported in the international literature. We report a case where fatal necrotizing fasciitis developed in a patient who had acupuncture treatment for romatoid arthritis of the knee. (Journal of the Turkish Society of Intensive Care 2011; 9: 23-5)

Keywords

• Acupuncture
• acupuncture complications
• necrotizing fasciitis
• wound infection