We report a case of neurogenic pulmonary edema in a patient who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in a motorbike accident and review the current literature with regards to the management of neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE).

A 17 year old male was involved in a motorbike collision into a tree. Copious amounts of pink frothy sputum was noted on scene. Rapid sequence intubation was performed on scene and video laryngoscopy demonstrated profuse frothy secretions welling up from the larynx.

The patient underwent emergency external ventricular drain insertion for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Intracranial pressures remained refractorily high and a decompressive bifrontal craniectomy was performed on the subsequent day. He was tracheostomised on admission day 24 and discharged from ICU on day 34.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema is defined as acute respiratory distress triggered by severe sympathetic discharge from acute compromise in the central nervous system. Rapid intervention with intubation is often necessary to protect the airways and facilitate diagnostic evaluation. Reduction of ICP and supportive mechanical ventilation to improve oxygenation is necessary. Positive end-expiratory pressure should be carefully applied to balance recruitment of alveoli and minimisation of ICP. Although NPE is estimated to resolve within 72 h in more than half of patients, prognosis is generally poor due to the severity of the underlying brain injury, with estimated mortality rates of between 60 and 100%.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema is a potentially life-threatening complication of severe brain injury and should be recognised early to facilitate management.