What does this research mean for the field?

Although generally considered safe, acupuncture can rarely cause severe spinal epidural abscesses, predominantly driven by Staphylococcus aureus, which frequently require surgical intervention. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe a case of spinal epidural abscess following acupuncture and characterize the presentation, microbiology, and outcomes of related cases reported over the past 28 years.

August 30, 2026The International Journal of Spine SurgeryOpen Access

Not So Innocent Procedure: A Spinal Epidural Abscess Following Acupuncture—A Case Report and Literature Review of the Past 28 Years

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Authors

DZDavid Shaked ZariTechnion – Israel Institute of Technology OKOry KeynanRambam Health Care Campus DRDror RonelBen-Gurion University of the Negev

Discussion

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Implication

Case report and literature review reveals spinal epidural abscess following acupuncture, highlighting the necessity of rapid surgical intervention to prevent irreversible neurological damage.

Key Points

To describe a case of spinal epidural abscess following acupuncture and characterize the presentation, microbiology, and outcomes of related cases reported over the past 28 years.
Documented the clinical progression, imaging, microbiology, and surgical management of a 54-year-old female presenting with quadriparesis after acupuncture.
Conducted a systematic review of the published literature spanning 28 years for reported cases of spinal epidural abscess following acupuncture.
The clinical case involved extensive C5–T2 posterior epidural, paravertebral, and retropharyngeal abscesses caused by penicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, requiring dual-stage decompression and stabilization.
The 28-year literature review identified 22 cases (age range 12–89 years) with symptom onset typically within 2 weeks, identifying S aureus as the dominant pathogen and a surgical intervention rate of 59.1%.

Cite This Study

Zari et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f07a6c1a8fb52e79cb07 https://doi.org/10.14444/8940

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Implication

Case report and literature review reveals spinal epidural abscess following acupuncture, highlighting the necessity of rapid surgical intervention to prevent irreversible neurological damage.

Not So Innocent Procedure: A Spinal Epidural Abscess Following Acupuncture—A Case Report and Literature Review of the Past 28 Years

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Not So Innocent Procedure: A Spinal Epidural Abscess Following Acupuncture—A Case Report and Literature Review of the Past 28 Years

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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