Re–expansion pulmonary oedema following removal of intrathoracic haematoma

Acute ipsilateral pulmonary oedema is a well documented complication of the treatment of lung collapse secondary to pneumothorax, pleural effusion and atelectasis. We present a case of bilateral re–expansion pulmonary oedema following removal of an intrathoracic haematoma. High protein concentration of the oedema fluid suggests increased pulmonary vascular permeability as a cause of this pulmonary oedema.