Bilateral re-expansion pulmonary edema: an uncommon complication of the pneumothorax drainage
Axel Benhamed1,2, Karim Tazarourte1,2
1Université Claude-Bernard-Lyon-I, Lyon, France.
Abstract:
Re-expansion pulmonary edema after chest tube drainage of spontaneous pneumothorax is a very rare complication, even more when it is bilateral. We report the case of a middle age patient presenting to our emergency department for syncope without shortness of breath. A chest X-ray showed a complete pneumothorax, but the treatment worsened the patient condition. The drainage leaded to a re-expansion pulmonary edema. We discuss the mechanism and predictors of this entity and suggest treatment including preventive measures.
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