NEUROGENIC PULMONARY OEDEMA

Neuogenic pulmonary oedema (NPO) usually occurs following severe central nervous system (CNS) injuries (i.e. as a consequence of grand mal seizures, subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracranial bleeding, severe head injury or sometimes following spinal cord injuries). However, the pathogenesis of NPO is not entirely clear. In the majority of cases, early or classic symptoms of pulmonary oedema are evident from several minutes up to several hours after CNS damage. Dyspnoea, chest pain, bloody expectoration are observed shortly after consciousness disorders, although NPO may occasionally be diagnosed on the basis of chest x-ray in patients with no clinical symptoms. Tachypnoea, tachycardia, rales without any changes in cardiac system are usually observed during physical examination. The ailments withdraw quickly in the majority of patients, who may require oxygen therapy at most.