Focal pulmonary embolism presenting as diffuse pulmonary edema.

We report the unique occurrence of bilateral pulmonary edema in a patient with a small focal pulmonary embolus without evidence of underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease. The most likely mechanism for this involves the release of humoral factors leading to extravasation of fluid across pulmonary capillary membranes. This case illustrates that pulmonary emboli should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary edema.