Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema following laser therapy of a tracheal neoplasm

Nd-YAG laser phototherapy has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of airways obstruction caused by tracheal tumors. Pulmonary edema has been reported as a complication following acute relief of an upper airway obstruction. We describe a case where laser photoresection of an endotracheal malignancy resulted in acute pulmonary edema. It is important to recognize this potential cause of respiratory deterioration following successful phototherapy to obstructing lesions of the upper airways.