Hemoperitoneum Resulting From Injuries to Liver with a Benign Vascular Tumor During Acupuncture: A Case Report

Korean J Leg Med. 2012May;36(1):107-110. English.

Division of Forensic Medicine, National Forensic Service, Seoul, Korea, zzeva@korea.kr

Various complications following acupuncture have been reported. In most cases, complications occur from the close apposition of vital organs and acupuncture sites. These complications can be avoided if acupuncturists are trained in appropriate medical science such as anatomy. However, our case is somewhat different from the norm. The deceased received acupuncture on the abdomen, provided by an acupuncturist. Unexpected symptoms occurred suddenly and she was transported to a hospital where she died of hemoperitoneum. On the postmortem examination, a well-defined vascular tumor was identified on the front of the liver, which was also cirrhotic; a few localized injuries were identified on the cystic wall of the tumor and surrounding liver parenchyma. We assumed these injuries were complications of acupuncture. Therefore, we present this case to suggest that acupuncturists should be educated to be vigilant for complications following treatment to reduce the risk of these tragedies.

Key words : acupuncture, autopsy

Case report