Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema: A Case Report

Background: Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is a rare pulmonary edema that develops rapidly after an acute central nervous system injury. The mechanism by which neurological insult leads to pulmonary edema is not well understood. The clinical presentation of NPE varies widely and ranges from asymptomatic cases to fulminant cases. Clinical signs in pure NPE are usually those of acute pulmonary edema, without signs of left ventricular failure. Case Report: The author presents a case of NPE is a young female patient with a brief epileptic seizure in which NPE resolved within 48 hours. Patient had no respiratory symptoms but was initially placed on antibiotics because her chest x-ray showed bilateral lung patchy opacifications in a perihilar distribution suggestive of pulmonary edema and/or multifocal pneumonia. Antibiotics was discontinued when the pulmonary edema resolved. Conclusion: There is need for physicians to be aware of NPE to avoid unnecessary antibiotics in asymptomatic patients who present with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates following an epileptic seizure.