Ventilation induced pneumothorax following resolved empyema.
We report a case of pneumothorax as a result of positive pressure ventilation in a child previously treated for empyema. Three months following discharge for successful treatment of empyema our patient received a general anesthetic for an elective MRI of the brain for investigation of nystagmus. During recovery from the anesthetic he developed respiratory distress and was found to have a loculated pneumothorax. We propose that pleural fragility in childhood empyema possibly persists even after clinical resolution and in this case for up to 3 months. The complication of pneumothorax should be considered in all patients receiving positive pressure ventilation following resolved empyema.
Great Ormond Street, Hospital for Children, NHS Trust, Respiratory Unit, London, UK.
A G
AG
Nyman
S
S
Sonnappa
A T
AT
Prendiville
A
A
Jaffe
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D004653:Empyema / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010994:Pleura / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors