Contralateral reexpansion pulmonary edema.

Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is an unusual complication of thoracentesis. Significant morbidity can result, and death is reported in 20% of cases. It is typically manifested as edema within a lung that has recently been reexpanded. Few reports document contralateral edema formation. We present a case of recurrent left-sided pulmonary edema after repeated drainage of a right-sided pleural effusion due to hepatic hydrothorax. We believe this is the first reported case of recurrence and only the fifth overall case of contralateral RPE. We also review the pathophysiology, treatment, and case reports of contralateral RPE. Physicians should be aware of the complications of thoracentesis, particularly RPE, given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with it.