STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case report.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to report an unusual complication of 
dry needling.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Epidural hematomas after dry needling are quite 
unusual and only a few cases of epidural hematoma after acupuncture have been 
reported in the literature. We are presenting the first report of acute cervical 
epidural hematoma after dry needling.
METHODS: A 58-year-old woman presented with quadriparesis and neck pain. 
Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a hyperintense mass in the 
T2-weighted magnetic resonance image at the C2-T2 level, which proved to be an 
epidural hematoma.
RESULTS: Symptoms related to the epidural hematoma resolved after decompression.
CONCLUSION: Though rare, epidural hematomas are a possible complication when 
applying needling therapies. Therapists need to have precise knowledge of human 
anatomy, especially in the region where he or she will puncture. Continuous 
attention must be paid throughout the whole procedure.