Ipsilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema after drainage of a spontaneous pneumothorax: a case report

Anna Conen¹ , Ladina Joos² and Roland Bingisser³

¹Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland

²Division of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland

³Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland

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Journal of Medical Case Reports 2007, 1:107doi:10.1186/1752-1947-1-107


Published:	29 September 2007

Abstract

We report a case of ipsilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema occurring after the insertion of a chest tube in a patient with spontaneous pneumothorax. The patient received supplemental oxygen via a non-rebreather face mask to compensate for hypoxemia. 24 hours after the acute event, the patient recovered completely without residual hypoxemia. Reexpansion pulmonary edema after the insertion of a thoracic drainage for pneumothorax or pleural effusion is a rare complication with a high mortality rate up to 20%. It should be considered in case of hypoxemia following the insertion of a chest tube. The exact pathophysiology leading to this complication is not known. Risk factors for reexpansion pulmonary edema should be evaluated and considered prior to the insertion of chest tubes. Treatment is supportive.