Negative-pressure pulmonary edema: a rare complication of upper airway obstruction in children

Bedside ultrasound in post-anaesthetic care unit for the diagnosis of post-extubation negative pressure pulmonary oedema: A paediatric case

BACKGROUND

Post-extubation negative pressure pulmonary oedema is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication associated with general anaesthesia. Chest radiography is used as a diagnostic tool, but it implies a non-negligible radiation exposure, a very important consideration, especially for the paediatric population. However, lung ultrasound can overcome this problem and can be used to detect postoperative pulmonary complications.

CASE REPORT

A 16-year-old male was scheduled for tympanoplasty. General anaesthesia was conducted, and after extubation, the patient developed a laryngospasm. On arrival at the post-anaesthetic care unit, the patient started to cough, a pink frothy sputum and hypoxemia were noticed, and auscultation revealed crepitations. A bedside lung ultrasound showed more than three B-lines per intercostal window, suggesting an alveolar-interstitial syndrome.

DISCUSSION

With this case report, we would like to raise awareness to this clinical entity and demonstrate bedside ultrasound has an important role in the diagnostic and therapeutic assessment during the perioperative period.

Pediatric Cervicofacial Necrotizing Fasciitis-A Challenge for a Medical Team

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a very rare complication of a bacterial infection that can have a dental cause. This type of infection typically affects fascial plane, which has a poor blood supply and can affect soft tissue and cervical fascia and can spread quickly causing infection of mediastinum. Initially, in the first stage, the overlying tissues are unaffected, and this can delay diagnosis and surgical intervention. Incidence in children is extremely rare and can be frequently associated with various other general pathologies that decrease the immune system response. We present a case of a young 12-year-old boy diagnosed with this type of infection in the head and neck as a complication of a second inferior molar pericoronitis. The treatment and the management of the case was difficult not only due to the presence of the infection but also because of the prolonged intubation.

A rare case of type II negative pressure pulmonary edema following extraction of inhaled peanuts in a 21-month-old boy

To date, only one case of pediatric type II negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) caused by removal of an endobronchial foreign body has been documented. We report another case of type II NPPE that developed after extraction of inhaled peanuts. A 21-month-old boy who presented with wheezing and intermittent cough for 1 month after eating peanuts was admitted to our department. A chest computed tomographic scan showed foreign bodies lodged in the right main bronchus. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed, and three pieces of peanuts were removed. Fifteen minutes after this procedure, the child grew restless and started coughing with frothy pink sputum. Tachypnea and rales were observed. A chest radiograph showed patchy opacification in both lungs, especially in the right lower zone, leading to the diagnosis of type II NPPE. Intravenous furosemide and dexamethasone were immediately administered, followed by non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. Twelve hours later, the patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged home the following day. In conclusion, pediatric type II NPPE rapidly occurs following the relief of upper airway obstruction. Clinicians need to be aware of the acuteness and manifestations of type II NPPE to make an early diagnosis and initiate prompt treatment.

CT Findings in Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare, potentially life-threatening, and yet diagnostically challenging perioperative complication. Most cases of NPPE occur in the context of anesthetic procedures, mainly caused by upper airway obstruction, and are diagnosed during the recovery period. We present a case of fulminant NPPE in a patient during general anesthesia which illustrates the eye-catching CT findings that can occur in NPPE and eventually support diagnosis. With regard to the current pandemic, we include a discussion of the typical imaging patterns of COVID-19 as a radiological differential diagnosis of NPPE. A 42-year old male patient presented with sudden respiratory insufficiency during arthroscopic knee lavage and subsequently required highly invasive ventilation therapy and catecholamine administration. Postoperative CT imaging of the thorax exhibited extensive, centrally accentuated consolidations with surrounding ground-glass opacity in all lung lobes, suggestive of pulmonary edema. In view of the clinical course and the imaging findings, a negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) was diagnosed.

Pulmonary edema post-adenotonsillectomy in children

Post-adenotonsillectomy pulmonary edema (pATPE) is a life-threatening condition that necessitates immediate clinical intervention. The early diagnosis and detection of the signs of this condition is vital to its treatment and patient outcome. The purpose of this review article is to present epidemiological data on the prevalence of pATPE, and address the mechanisms of development, types, etiology, pathophysiology, and management of pATPE. In order to minimize postoperative intensive care unit admission rates of pATPE, utilization of preoperative clinical assessment, operative/postoperative monitoring tools, and procedural precautions are discussed.

L-Cysteine ethyl ester reverses the deleterious effects of morphine on, arterial blood-gas chemistry in tracheotomized rats

This study determined whether the membrane-permeable ventilatory stimulant, L-cysteine ethylester (L-CYSee), reversed the deleterious actions of morphine on arterial blood-gas chemistry in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. Morphine (2 mg/kg, i.v.) elicited sustained decreases in arterial blood pH, pO₂ and sO₂, and increases in pCO₂ (all responses indicative of hypoventilation) and alveolar-arterial gradient (indicative of ventilation-perfusion mismatch). Injections of L-CYSee (100 μmol/kg, i.v.) reversed the effects of morphine in tracheotomized rats but were minimally active in non-tracheotomized rats. L-cysteine or L-serine ethylester (100 μmol/kg, i.v.) were without effect. It is evident that L-CYSee can reverse the negative effects of morphine on arterial blood-gas chemistry and alveolar-arterial gradient but that this positive activity is negated by increases in upper-airway resistance. Since L-cysteine and L-serine ethylester were ineffective, it is evident that cell penetrability and the sulfur moiety of L-CYSee are essential for activity. Due to its ready penetrability into the lungs, chest wall muscle and brain, the effects of L-CYSee on morphine-induced changes in arterial blood-gas chemistry are likely to involve both central and peripheral sites of action.

The curious question of exercise-induced pulmonary edema

The question of whether pulmonary edema develops during exercise on land is controversial. Yet, the development of pulmonary edema during swimming and diving is well established. This paper addresses the current controversies that exist in the field of exercise-induced pulmonary edema on land and with water immersion. It also discusses the mechanisms by which pulmonary edema can develop during land exercise, swimming, and diving and the current gaps in knowledge that exist. Finally, this paper discusses how these fields can continue to advance and the areas where clinical knowledge is lacking.

Anesthesia protocols for early vitrectomy in former preterm infants diagnosed with aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity

Aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can, if left untreated, rapidly progress to total retinal detachment within 1-2 weeks. Early surgical intervention with vitrectomy has been attempted to treat and prevent further retinal detachment. We investigated the anesthetic management of 29 infants with aggressive posterior ROP undergoing early vitrectomy. Postmenstrual age at surgery ranged from 35 to 47 weeks (median 41). Weight ranged from 1408 to 3478 g (median 1875). All infants underwent general anesthesia with fentanyl and sevoflurane. Mean surgical and anesthetic times were 88.6 and 143.6 min, respectively. In two patients, vitrectomy was postponed for one week due to enteric perforation in one patient and meningitis in the other, because the anticipated perioperative risk was deemed high. There were no intraoperative complications, except in one patient who developed pulmonary edema following upper airway obstruction. All patients survived to be discharged from NICU or transferred to the referring hospital. In all cases, complete or partial retinal reattachment was successfully achieved. Early vitrectomy for aggressive posterior ROP may be effective despite associated perioperative risks. As this condition progresses rapidly, prompt preoperative organization, including anesthetic planning, is important and useful. Anesthesiologists can play an important role in the perioperative management of such high-risk infants.

Pulmonary hemorrhage accompanied with pulmonary edema induced by endotracheal tube occlusion in a child: A case report

Negative pressure induced pulmonary edema due to upper airway obstruction is a well-recognized problem. However, negative pressure pulmonary hemorrhage is extremely uncommon. We report a child who developed negative pressure pulmonary hemorrhage following acute airway obstruction caused by clench of endotracheal tube during emergence of anesthesia. The patient was treated with positive pressure ventilation and frequent tracheal suction. Hemorrhage from endotracheal tube was gradually decreased after 4 hours. The patient was extubated after 7 hours.

Reversible acute left ventricular dysfunction in accidental strangulation

OBJECTIVE

: To report reversible acute left ventricular dysfunction after accidental strangulation in an 8-year-old boy.

DESIGN

: Case report.

SETTING

: Pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

PATIENT

: Review of the medical record and clinical course of the patient who developed cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema after strangulation.

INTERVENTIONS

: Mechanical ventilation, monitoring of cardiovascular status, and serial evaluation of cardiac enzymes.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

: In the acute period, electrocardiogram showed transient global ST elevation with rise of cardiac enzymes and global left ventricular hypokinesia. Hemodynamic status improved over 24 hrs with resolution of electrocardiogram findings and left ventricular dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

: Exaggerated sympathetic stimulation due to strangulation can result in acute reversible myocardial dysfunction mimicking myocardial infarction.

Transient ventricular dysfunction after an asphyxiation event: stress or hypoxia?

OBJECTIVE

This report of a pediatric patient with acute upper airway obstruction causing asphyxiation emphasizes the need to maintain clinical suspicion for acquired myocardial dysfunction, despite the presumed role of noncardiogenic causes for pulmonary edema after an acute upper airway obstruction.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

A tertiary pediatric intensive care unit.

PATIENT

A 10-year-old girl with no significant medical history who developed flash pulmonary edema and acute myocardial dysfunction after an acute upper airway obstruction.

INTERVENTIONS

Serial echocardiograms, exercise stress test, and coronary angiography were performed. Serial pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponins, and CK-MB levels were also followed.

RESULTS

Troponin level normalized approximately 7 days after the acute event. CK-MB and pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels decreased but had not completely normalized by time of discharge. The patient was discharged home 10 days after the event on an anticipated 6-month course of metoprolol without any signs or symptoms of cardiac dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial dysfunction is rarely documented in children after an acute upper airway obstruction or an asphyxiation event. Pediatric intensivists and hospitalists should maintain a high degree of clinical suspicion and screen for possible myocardial dysfunction in the pediatric patient with an acute severe hypoxic event especially when accompanied by pulmonary edema. Prompt evaluation ensures appropriate support. Additionally, some role may exist for early adrenergic receptor blockade.

Laryngospasm: review of different prevention and treatment modalities

Laryngospasm is a common complication in pediatric anesthesia. In the majority of cases, laryngospasm is self-limiting. However, sometimes laryngospasm persists and if not appropriately treated, it may result in serious complications that may be life-threatening. The present review discusses laryngospasm with the emphasis on the different prevention and treatment modalities.

Near demise of a child with Prader-Willi syndrome during elective orchidopexy

The case of a morbidly obese 3.5-year-old boy, with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), who experienced a life-threatening episode of pulmonary edema soon after induction of general anesthesia with sevoflurane and intubation for orchidopexy is presented. The patient who had history of sleep apnea and who had an uneventful laparoscopy under general anesthesia 6 months previously was supported with mechanical ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure but developed hyperthermia, pneumonia, sepsis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the intensive care unit. He recovered fully 11 days after surgery. The possible contributing factors for the development of pulmonary edema are discussed. Arrangements for monitoring in an intensive care setting after surgery are highly recommended for patients with PWS.