Journal of thoracic imaging
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Talc is commonly given after drainage of the pleural space to create pleural symphysis. Recognized complications of pleural drainage followed by talc pleurodesis include reexpansion pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. This report describes a complication of talc pleurodesis that appears not to have been appreciated previously. ⋯ The recognized complications are inadequate to account for these radiographic findings. Other interstitial diseases such as hydrostatic pulmonary edema and lymphangitic carcinomatosis also are not adequate explanations. The observed complication is most likely the result of endothelial damage leading to a capillary leak type of pulmonary edema.