Bronchoscopic findings in post-obstructive pulmonary oedema

Purpose: To present the first photographed bronchoscopic findings associated with negative pressure pulmonary oedema (NPPE). Clinical features: A previously healthy patient underwent anterior C-3-C-4 disc removal and arthrodesis. Following tracheal extubation he developed acute respiratory distress manifested as strider, tachypnoea, restlessness, and desaturation. Once the trachea was reintubated, he displayed the classic findings of pulmonary oedema. Bronchoscopy was performed to confirm tracheal tube position and to rule out tracheal injury secondary to surgical manipulation. Diffuse punctate haemorrhages were noted throughout the visualised tracheo-bronchial tree. Conclusion: We believe that these haemorrhages represent disruption of the branchial vasculature and may contribute to the clinical presentation of NPPE.