[DIFFUSE ALVEOLAR BLEEDING IN A PATIENT AFTER GENERAL ANESTHESIA FOR KNEE SURGERY].

A 35-year old male, generally healthy, underwent knee arthroscopy with general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask. Postoperatively, he developed decreased oxygenation and hemoptysis. A chest x-ray and a chest CT presented bilateral diffuse ground glass infiltrates. No other pathology was found. The patient was treated with oxygen enrichment, his condition quickly improved and he was discharged home on postoperative day two. The clinical picture is consistent with diffuse alveolar damage due to extreme negative alveolar pressure secondary to upper airway obstruction. This paper will discuss the differential diagnosis of diffuse alveolar bleeding, the pathophysiology of negative pressure pulmonary edema and negative pressure pulmonary hemorrhage and the recommended treatment.