Drowning: another plunge.
Hypoxia, pulmonary edema, acidosis, and aspiration compose the syndrome of near drowning. A review of 20 cases of near drowning indicated that the initial chest roentgenogram bears little weight in assessing the present or future clinical status. In some cases a 24 to 48 hour delay occurred before roentgenographic evidence for pulmonary edema was noted. The composition of fluid aspirated does not affect the outcome. The results of this report suggest that patients with a history of near drowning should be followed closely for at least 48 hours despite an initial normal chest roentgenogram.
D000138:Acidosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002648:Child; D004332:Drowning; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors