[Pulmonary edema due to unilateral pneumothorax (unilateral shock lung) (author's transl)]

Unilateral pulmonary edema due to chest drainage is reported in the present paper. Drainage was carried out, because of pneumothorax. The disorder could be treated successfully with differenciated mechanical respirator therapy and additionally with methylprednisolon, heparin, spirolactone and dopamin. Based upon clinical symptoms and on present literature we suggest to account this so called "pulmonary edema exvacuo" to the main complex of acute respiratory insufficiency (unilateral shock lung).