Postictal neurogenic pulmonary edema: Case report and brief literature review

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary complications associated with epilepsy are generally associated with generalized tonic–clonic seizures, as a consequence of systemic adrenergic discharge and release of inflammatory mediators. We present a case of a 34-year-old woman with a history of Focal epilepsy since adolescence, who presented self-limited pulmonary edema following a focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizure with subsequent resolution of the symptoms. We also made a brief review of neurogenic pulmonary edema, its proposed pathophysiology, treatment and its relation with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Keywords: Neurogenic pulmonary edema, Focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizure, Temporal lobe epilepsy