Anatomically localised re-expansion pulmonary oedema following pneumothorax drainage. Case report and literature review.
We describe the 15th recorded case of ipsilateral pulmonary oedema following re-expansion of a pneumothorax. In contrast to previously described cases, the oedema was exclusively confined to the right middle and lower lobes, with complete sparing of the right upper lobe. This strict anatomical localisation can best be explained by the presence of a discrete temporary obstruction of the bronchus intermedius during the critical period of rapid pneumothorax re-expansion. We believe that this case lends strong support to previous contentions that bronchial occlusion plays a crucial role in the genesis of re-expansion oedema.
D000328:Adult; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology*