Successful transcatheter arterial embolization for a massive hemothorax caused by acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment for a variety of diseases, and serious complications are rare. We report a case of transcatheter arterial embolization performed in a patient with a massive hemothorax after acupuncture treatment. A 36-year-old woman with no previous medical history was admitted to our hospital with left back pain and respiratory distress after acupuncture treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a left hemothorax and leakage of contrast medium, which was considered to result from an injury to the second intercostal artery, caused by acupuncture treatment. Transcatheter arterial embolization successfully stopped the bleeding, and the hematoma was thoracoscopically removed. No rebleeding was observed 6 months after treatment.