Objective: To explore the early diagnosis and correct treatment of neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) and review the literature.
Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed in six patients diagnosed as NPE who were admitted to the emergency department of Tianjin Third Central Hospital from March 2017 to March 2021.
Results: Six patients had acute onset, presenting severe dyspnea and hypoxemia, and obvious wet rales could be heard in both lungs. The white blood cell count (WBC) increased to varying degrees (11-22)×109/L, procalcitonin (PCT) was normal, or slightly increased, sputum bacteriological examination was negative, and oxygenation index was < 200 mmHg (1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa). Chest CT mainly showed patchy or patchy exudation. The lesions were of different sizes and were not distributed according to lobes. By reducing intracranial pressure, ventilator assisted breathing, liquid therapy, anti-infection therapy with antibiotics, nutritional support, all six patients were well and discharged, and no one died of NPE.
Conclusions: NPE has complex condition, acute onset and rapid development. Early diagnosis and correct treatment can improve the success rate of treatment and prognosis of patients with NPE.