Reexpansion pulmonary edema: A rare complication of pneumothorax drainage

• Main Authors: Shivani Sarda, Ankur Verma, Sanjay Jaiswal, Wasil Rasool Sheikh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine
• Subjects: chest tube; pneumothorax; reexpansion pulmonary edema
• Online Access: http://www.turkjemergmed.org/article.asp?issn=2452-2473;year=2020;volume=20;issue=4;spage=196;epage=198;aulast=Sarda

Among all the noncardiac causes of pulmonary edema, unilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema is one of the rarest complication of expansion of a collapsed lung. It is largely unknown and a potentially fatal complication. We present the case of a 51-year-old gentleman who presented to our emergency department with shortness of breath. X-ray revealed significant right-sided pneumothorax with associated collapse of the right lung. An intercostal tube was inserted into the right 5th intercostal space and a repeat X-ray revealed well-expanded lung field. Soon, the patient developed increased shortness of breath and hypoxia. Repeat X-ray was suggestive of pulmonary edema. He was started on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and responded well to it. Emergency physicians should have a high index of suspicion and initiate early management of reexpansion pulmonary edema in patients suffering from pneumothoraces which have undergone drainage.