Fatal Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema Following Pleural Catheter Placement

Abstract

176 PERCUTANEOUS small-caliber drainage catheters provide convenient and effective alternatives to surgical thoracostomy tubes in patients with pneumothoraces, empyemas, and other pleural collections. Such tubes can be placed with use of ultrasound, computed tomography, or fluoroscopy for guidance. Complications are infrequent. This report describes successful radiologic placement of a pleural catheter that promptly evacuated a pneumothorax but rapidly resulted in reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) and death. The presentation, treatment, and prevention of this complication of percutaneous pleural drainage are described.