Bilateral re-expansion pulmonary edema: an uncommon complication of the pneumothorax drainage.

Abstract

Re-expansion pulmonary edema after chest tube drainage of spontaneous pneumothorax is a very rare complication, even more when it is bilateral. We report the case of a middle age patient presenting to our emergency department for syncope without shortness of breath. A chest X-ray showed a complete pneumothorax, but the treatment worsened the patient condition. The drainage leaded to a re-expansion pulmonary edema. We discuss the mechanism and predictors of this entity and suggest treatment including preventive measures.