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Bilateral re-expansion pulmonary edema in a child: a reminder
O Ozlu1, A Kiliç, R Cengizlier
1Department of Anaesthesia, Social Security Ankara Children's Hospital, Turkey. ozlu@ato.org.tr
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|August 12, 2000
Insights
Re-expansion pulmonary edema is a rare complication after lung reinflation. This case highlights bilateral edema in a child treated for lymphoma after unilateral pleural effusion drainage.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Re-expansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is a rare but serious complication.
- It typically occurs after rapid re-inflation of a collapsed lung.
- Causes include pneumothorax and pleural effusion.
Observation:
- A pediatric case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented with pleural effusion.
- Unilateral drainage of the pleural effusion was performed.
- The child subsequently developed bilateral pulmonary edema.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates RPE following unilateral pleural effusion drainage.
- This suggests RPE can occur even without complete lung collapse or bilateral effusions.
- The underlying lymphoma may have predisposed the patient to this complication.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be vigilant for RPE in pediatric patients undergoing pleural effusion management.
- Consideration of RPE is crucial in patients with underlying conditions like lymphoma.
- This case expands the understanding of RPE triggers and risk factors in pediatric oncology.
Abstract:
Re-expansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is an uncommon complication of sudden reinflation of a lung collapsed by pneumothorax or pleural effusion. We present a case of bilateral pulmonary edema following unilateral drainage of a pleural effusion in a young child with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.