Acupuncture needle scars

Abstract

A 36‐year‐old woman with hyperthyroidism without exophthalmos presented with unusual bilateral round scars. There were two atrophic scars which measured 1·5 cm in diameter. Examination of her neck showed a mild goitre. She had consulted a Chinese acupuncturist physician and underwent a series of acupuncture treatment. The treatment consisted of stimulation of Chinese acupoints, particularly the bilateral Stomach.10–Shuitu point (St 10) (Fig. 1), with a hot needle, 20 times. Follow‐up clinical and haematological assessments were done several months after the acupuncture treatment but there had been no improvement in her hyperthyroidism. She has visible, unaesthetic scars due to the acupuncture treatment.