Re-Expansion Pulmonary Edema in Children - A Rare Complication After Pneumothorax Drainage: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND

Re-expansion Pulmonary Edema (RPE) is a non-cardiogenic form of pulmonary edema which occurs following rapid lung expansion after drainage of significant pneumothorax or pleural effusion, and rarely following resection of obstructive mediastinal mass. RPE is a rare but potentially fatal phenomenon with only few case reports in the pediatric literature.

METHODS

We are reporting a case of RPE in a 5-year-old girl following drainage of pneumothorax who succumbed to worsening hypoxemia despite therapy with mechanical ventilation and other supportive care.

CONCLUSION

RPE should be anticipated, and early preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures should be instituted in high-risk patients who require significant pleural fluid or air drainage.