Neurogenic pulmonary edema is fluid accumulation in the lungs caused by an injury to the central nervous system (CNS). It can occur within minutes of a CNS injury or be delayed up to 24 hours. Injuries known to cause neurogenic pulmonary edema are trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage, stroke, meningitis, seizure, and spinal cord injury.

Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is hypothesized to be the underlying etiology for the hypertension and pulmonary edema seen after CNS injury. The onset of neurogenic pulmonary edema correlates to worsening intracranial pressure and is typically associated with severe hypertensive episodes.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema can be life threatening. With supportive care and treatment of the underlying neurologic injury, however, neurogenic pulmonary edema will usually resolve within 72 hours.