Unilateral pulmonary oedema: a case report

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pulmonology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Tracheostomy and endotracheal intubation are common procedures in managing airway obstruction.
• Pre-existing pulmonary and cardiac conditions can increase patient risk during anesthesia.
• Spontaneous respiration during anesthesia requires careful airway monitoring.

Observation:

• Acute obstruction of the right main bronchus occurred during spontaneous breathing with an endotracheal tube in place.
• The patient had pre-existing pulmonary and cardiac disease.
• The obstruction was associated with an anode tracheal tube during an operation.

Findings:

• Right unilateral pulmonary edema developed secondary to the bronchial obstruction.
• Repositioning the endotracheal tube successfully relieved the airway obstruction.
• The event highlights a potential complication of endotracheal tube placement during spontaneous respiration.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of vigilant airway monitoring, even with the endotracheal tube in situ.
• Clinicians should consider bronchial obstruction as a cause of ventilation issues during spontaneous breathing.
• Prompt recognition and management of endotracheal tube malposition are crucial to prevent adverse outcomes like unilateral pulmonary edema.