Korean J Sports Med.  2017 Dec;35(3):206-209. 10.5763/kjsm.2017.35.3.206.

Immersion Pulmonary Edema after Scuba Diving: An Undiagnosed Entity

• Kang HD
• Oh SH
• Jung SK

• KMID: 2397817
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2017.35.3.206

Abstract

Immersion pulmonary edema (IPE) is a form of pulmonary edema that can occur in divers or swimmers. IPE is a rare condition, but can be life-threatening and recurrent condition. The pathophysiology of IPE is still incompletely understood. We present a case of scuba diving induced pulmonary edema in a 46-year-old woman diving in cold seawater. After 20 minutes of diving at 18 m, she felt difficulty of breathing. Symptoms on surfacing were dyspnea, cough, and frothy sputum. Chest X-ray showed pulmonary edema and she was treated with an intravenous diuretic and supplemental oxygen. The patient showed rapid resolution of symptoms and was discharged on the same day. Sport physician should be aware of this potentially life-threatening recurrent condition.

Keyword

Diving; Immersion; Pulmonary edema

MeSH Terms

Cough
Diving*
Dyspnea
Female
Humans
Immersion*
Middle Aged
Oxygen
Pulmonary Edema*
Respiration
Seawater
Sports
Sputum
Thorax
Oxygen

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Chest radiograph (A) and computed tomography scan (B) obtained at the time of admission showed diffuse pulmonary edema without cardiomegaly.

• 

  Fig. 2 Chest radiograph obtained 4 hours later showed a marked decrease in pulmonary edema.

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