Pneumothorax During Cervical Paraspinal Muscle Electromyography: A Case Report

Needle electromyography is a common procedure used by physicians to detect an underlying neuromuscular disorder. It is performed by inserting a needle electrode in different locations of the muscles and measures the muscle reaction or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle on an oscilloscope. The procedure is usually safe, however, in rare cases, the insertion of the needle in the pleura or lung can cause a pneumothorax, which can be life-threatening. Here, we have reported a case in which a puncture in the right cervical paraspinal muscle during a needle electromyography procedure caused a right-sided pneumothorax in a 49-year-old female patient who was further treated in the hospital until the pneumothorax resolved. In addition, a technique that can be used to prevent this life-threatening complication will also be discussed. To our knowledge, one similar case report has been presented in the past.