Journal de chirurgie
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Journal de chirurgie · Mar 1988
Review Case Reports[Reexpansion pulmonary edema after pneumothorax. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature].
Pulmonary edema after re-expansion of a pneumothorax occurs within a maximum of 3 days of the pneumothorax and manifests by intense clinical signs (cough, abundant foamy expectoration, major cyanosis), marked hypoxia and a "white lung" radiologic image. The outcome was rapidly favorable in the case reported, despite the severity of the initial symptomatology. ⋯ A hemodynamic edema also exists as a consequence of the reduction in pulmonary interstitial pressure. Possible prophylactic measures are discussed, the most appropriate appearing to be very progressive evacuation of the pneumothorax.