Neurogenic pulmonary edema in head injuries: analysis of 5 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pathophysiology and study the diagnosis and clinical management of neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE).


METHODS
The data of 5 patients who developed NPE after head injury treated in our hospital form December 1995 to May 2003 were collected and analyzed.


RESULTS
The patients developed dyspnea and respiratory failure 2-8 hours after neurologic event. Four of the 5 patients presented with pink frothy sputum. Chest radiography showed bilateral diffuse infiltrations in all the 5 patients. After supportive measures such as oxygen support and pharmacologic therapy, 4 patients recovered in 72 hours and one patient died.


CONCLUSIONS
The pathophysiologic mechanisms of NPE is unclear. In acute respiratory failure following head injury, NPE must be given much attention and timely and effective measures should be taken.
Qin
Shi-qiang
SQ
Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China. shiqiang_qin@yahoo.com.cn
Sun
Wei
W
Wang
Han-bin
HB
Zhang
Qing-lin
QL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011379:Prognosis; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed