A CASE REPORT OF RE-EXPANSION PULMONARY EDEMA, AFTER SLOW DRAINAGE

A 28-year-old man was evaluated for complaining of dyspnea. Chest X-ray film revealed a right sided pneumothorax with complete collapse. A thoracic tube was inserted and slowly drainaged, because there was a possible occurrence of Reexpansion pulmonary edema (REPE) with a lapse of 42 days after the onset. About 3 hours after drainage, he complained of cough, dyspnea and chest pain. Chest X-ray film revealed glass-like shadows. Immediately, thoracic tube was connected to the continuous suction at the pressure of -12 cmH2O. At the same time, 0.2 supply and injection of steroid were started. On the next day, these symptoms were improved. His chest X-ray film returned to normal within a week. There were 12 cases of spontaneus pneumothorax during the past 3 years in our hospital, of which 3 were complicated by REPE. In all the 3 cases, complete collapse of the lung due to pneumothorax had existed for 3 days or more. In the treatment of these cases, it is necessary to consider REPE.