[A case of neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with epileptic seizure]

Abstract

We report a case of neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with epileptic seizure. A 36-year-old woman had had several episodes of fainting and postictal respiratory failure, and since July 1998 had been admitted to a nearby hospital three times. On October 12, 1999, she was again admitted to a nearby hospital with the same symptom, and was transferred from that hospital to ours for evaluation of the recurrent respiratory disorder. Low-grade fever, mild leukocytosis, hypoxemia and bilateral diffuse opacities were observed as previously on chest radiography, and improved within several days without any specific therapy. The negative C reactive protein level, normal cardiac function and faintly bloody bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were also observed. There was no evidence of aspiration pneumonia, infectious disease, or underlying heart or lung disease. Electroencephalography showed spikes in accord with the left temporal lobe, and the cause of the patient's fainting was thought to be temporal lobe epilepsy. After all other causes had been excluded, this case was diagnosed as neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with epileptic seizure. Only about 40 cases of the postictal pulmonary edema have been reported since 1908, and the pathophysiologic mechanism of this condition is still unknown. Neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with epileptic seizure is rare, but the importance of awareness of this condition needs to be emphasized because it is suspected to be the cause of unexpected sudden death in epileptics. We should consider the disease as important in the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory failure associated with epilepsy.