- An uncommon but sometimes fatal complication of pleural drainage:
- One historical case series reported mortality as high as 20%
- Usually presents on the side of the lung re-expansion (though contra-lateral and bilateral cases have been reported)
- Clinical features are wide-ranging:
- Maybe asymptomatic
- Cough, discomfort and nausea
- Dyspnoea, pink frothy sputum and hypoxia
- Fever, tachycardia and hypotension
- Radiological features are of pulmonary oedema and interstitial opacities
- Aetiology is unclear but likely includes altered capillary permeability and loss of protein-rich exudate
