An Observational Study Using Ultrasound to Assess Allowable Needle Insertion Range of Acupoint CV12

Abstract

Background: Abdominal organ injuries are a rarely reported complication when deep acupuncture needling is applied to the abdomen. In order to ascertain the allowable needle insertion range (ANIR) of the abdomen region, we selected acupoint CV12, which is commonly used for treating gastric disease, and ANIR was measured with an ultrasound device. Method: Eighty-five healthy volunteers were recruited, of which 83 cases of ultrasound images were obtained. To investigate the prediction factor of ANIR, we also measured several anthropometric factors. Results: The average ANIR was 25.3 ± 10.2; generally, the ANIRs of females were thicker than those of males; and the liver was observed in 62.7% subjects’ ultrasound images. The non-observed group showed thicker ANIR and higher BMI than the liver-observed group. Conclusion: There are reliable variables that make it possible to predict the ANIR. It is advised to refer to anthropometric factors in needling acupoint CV12 to avoid complications with the acupuncture treatment. However, individual differences are not negligible when applying deep needling. Thus, if the risk is not judged before or during the procedure, practitioners could consider the patient’s ANIR on CV12 when applying acupuncture by examining the individual anatomical structures using ultrasound and considering internal organ positions to prevent adverse events due to acupuncture.

An Observational Study on the Anatomical Characteristics of Acupoint CV23 (Lianquan) with Ultrasonography

“…This study is significant in that it is the first study to analyze the needling depth and anatomical characteristics of acupoint CV23 using ultrasound. In addition, the determination that a characteristic of acupoint CV23 (different from other acupoints) is that it does not show a correlation with BMI or anthropometric factors [3,4]. Therefore, rather than predicting the needling depth according to the patient's BMI for example, without consideration of individual cases, visual observation of the surrounding anatomical structures with ultrasound is expected to contribute to the safe practice of acupuncture procedures.…”

“…For example, in the case of obesity a high correlation was observed between the use of ultrasound and safe needling practice [1,3]. In a study on acupoint CV12, the liver was observed in 62.7% of the patients' ultrasound images [4]. Therefore, the use of ultrasound for deep needling to acupoint CV12 may prevent organ damage .…”

Review on Intraperitoneal Acupuncture and Needling Depth

“…. 최근에는 해부용 시신에 초음파를 적용한 연구가 발표되었고 23) , 국내에서도 성인을 대상으로 초음파 및 CT 를 활용하여 연구가 이루어졌다(Table 2) [24][25][26][27] .…”