Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Status Epilepticus: An Unusual Case

Abstract

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is rare in pediatric patients. It occurs most commonly following brain malignancies, traumatic brain injuries, infections and seizures. It has rarely been reported in pediatric patients following status epilepticus. The pathophysiology is not completely understood and is proposed to be due to overactivity of sympathetic nervous system leading to pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema. Here we present a case of a 4-year-old healthy boy with status epilepticus secondary to febrile seizures who developed NPE. Treatment is supportive ventilator management with low tidal volume and high positive end-expiratory pressure. Timely diagnosis and management is the key for good recovery. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with rapidly developing pulmonary edema in the setting of normal cardiac function.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema following febrile status epilepticus in a 22-month-old infant with multiple respiratory virus co-detection: a case report

“…We report the pediatric NPE case following febrile SE, in whom three respiratory viruses were co-detected from the patient's nasopharyngeal specimens using molecular biological diagnostic methods. NPE following febrile SE in children is a rare but serious life-threatening complication [11][12][13]. Despite the higher incidence rate of FS in Japanese children than in children in other countries, few Japanese patients with NPE caused by febrile SE have been reported in literature [31][32][33].…”

“…The majority of FS cases follow a benign clinical course; however, approximately 5-8% of FS cases develop status epilepticus (SE) [8,9]. NPE following febrile SE in children is a rare complication, although its incidence rate might be underestimated [10][11][12][13].…”