Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report
Abstract Background Re-expansion pulmonary edema is a rare but potentially fatal (mortality up to 20%) complication of the rapid removal of air, fluid, or other space-occupying lesion from the pleural cavity. This case report highlights the fact that this complication is much more likely to occur wh...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-021-03112-w |
| _version_ | 1818936822493872128 |
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| author | Alicja Zabielna |
| author_facet | Alicja Zabielna |
| author_sort | Alicja Zabielna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Re-expansion pulmonary edema is a rare but potentially fatal (mortality up to 20%) complication of the rapid removal of air, fluid, or other space-occupying lesion from the pleural cavity. This case report highlights the fact that this complication is much more likely to occur when treating large, chronic pneumothoraces, and can occur even if the lung fails to fully re-expand. Case presentation A 49-year-old white British man presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of shortness of breath 5 days prior to admission. A left-sided pneumothorax was suspected on clinical examination, and chest X-ray confirmed a large, left-sided pneumothorax. A 12 French gauge chest drain was inserted and connected to an underwater seal. Shortly after insertion of the drain, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly with tachypnea and severe hypoxemia. A diagnosis of re-expansion pulmonary edema was made, and the patient was treated with high-flow oxygen and continuous positive airways pressure. Conclusions This case report serves as a reminder of the morbidity and potential mortality associated with a commonly performed medical procedure, and reveals a lack of clear and precise guidance on the management of large, chronic (> 72 hours) pneumothoraces in the current British Thoracic Society pleural disease guidelines. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T05:42:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26095ad89bb04f7d821463d69cd87653 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T05:42:10Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-26095ad89bb04f7d821463d69cd876532022-12-21T19:51:26ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472021-10-011511410.1186/s13256-021-03112-wSevere re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case reportAlicja Zabielna0Addenbrookes HospitalAbstract Background Re-expansion pulmonary edema is a rare but potentially fatal (mortality up to 20%) complication of the rapid removal of air, fluid, or other space-occupying lesion from the pleural cavity. This case report highlights the fact that this complication is much more likely to occur when treating large, chronic pneumothoraces, and can occur even if the lung fails to fully re-expand. Case presentation A 49-year-old white British man presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of shortness of breath 5 days prior to admission. A left-sided pneumothorax was suspected on clinical examination, and chest X-ray confirmed a large, left-sided pneumothorax. A 12 French gauge chest drain was inserted and connected to an underwater seal. Shortly after insertion of the drain, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly with tachypnea and severe hypoxemia. A diagnosis of re-expansion pulmonary edema was made, and the patient was treated with high-flow oxygen and continuous positive airways pressure. Conclusions This case report serves as a reminder of the morbidity and potential mortality associated with a commonly performed medical procedure, and reveals a lack of clear and precise guidance on the management of large, chronic (> 72 hours) pneumothoraces in the current British Thoracic Society pleural disease guidelines.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-021-03112-wRe-expansionPulmonary edemaPneumothorax |
| spellingShingle | Alicja Zabielna Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Re-expansion Pulmonary edema Pneumothorax |
| title | Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report |
| title_full | Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report |
| title_short | Severe re-expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re-expansion of the lung: a case report |
| title_sort | severe re expansion pulmonary edema despite incomplete re expansion of the lung a case report |
| topic | Re-expansion Pulmonary edema Pneumothorax |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-021-03112-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alicjazabielna severereexpansionpulmonaryedemadespiteincompletereexpansionofthelungacasereport |