Tuberc Respir Dis.  2001 Aug;51(2):161-165. 10.4046/trd.2001.51.2.161.

A Case of Bilateral Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema After Pleurocentesis

• Kim KU
• Jung HK
• Park HJ
• Cha GY
• Han SH
• Hwang EW
• Lee JH
• Kim DJ
• Na MJ
• Uh ST
• Kim YH
• Park CS

• KMID: 2318348
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2001.51.2.161

Abstract

Acute bilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema after pleurocentesis is a rare complication. In one case, bilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema after unilateral pleurocentensis in sarcoma was reported. Verious hypotheses regarding the mechanism of reexpansion pulmonary edema include increased capillary permeability due to hypoxic injury, decreased surfactant production, altered pulmonary perfusion and mechanical stretching of the membranes. Ragozzino et al suggested that the mechanism leading to unilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema involves the opposite lung when there is significant contralateral lung compression. Here we report a case of bilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome after a unilateral pleurocentesis of a large pleural effusion with contralateral lung compression and increased interstitial lung marking underlying chronic liver disease.

Keyword

Pleurocentesis; Bilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema; Acute respiratory distress syndrome

MeSH Terms

Capillary Permeability
Liver Diseases
Lung
Membranes
Perfusion
Pleural Effusion
Pulmonary Edema*
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult
Sarcoma