Acute Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Acute Upper Airway Obstruction with A Piece of Meat

A 14- year-old boy developed acute pulmonary edema post upper airway obstruction. This complication of acute upper airway obstruction is not very rare. The cause of obstruction in this case is suffocation by a piece of meat during a barbeque party. The piece of meat was removed from the upper airway; however, he continued to be in respiratory distress, which was relieved only after intubation with mechanical ventilation. In this type of acute pulmonary edema, the leading mechanism is increased negative intrapleural pressure due to the forceful inspiration against the obstructed airways. Treatment modalities include relieving the obstruction, mechanical ventilation with Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and diuretic. Knowledge of this complication increases the vigilance of the emergency physicians and helps to identify patients at risk and then start helpful treatment for these patients.