Postictal Pulmonary Edema

Abstract
IN 1908 Shanahan 1 described acute pulmonary edema as a complication of convulsions in 11 epileptics. Two years later Ohlmacher 2 presented five similar cases. Since that time few reports on postictal pulmonary edema (PIPE) have appeared,3-6 only one 6 being in the English language. The purpose of this communication is to review the subject of PIPE and to present two illustrative cases. Report of Cases Case 1. —A 69-year-old Negro man was brought to the hospital on Sept 23, 1965, after having been found unconscious in a local bus depot. According to a friend the patient had experienced about one generalized epileptic seizure per month during the previous four years. Upon his arrival in the emergency room, the patient was oriented but lethargic. Minutes later he had a typical grand mal seizure which was witnessed by a physician. When the convulsion ended the patient was not in distress.