Adult respiratory distress syndrome: CT findings

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with a mortality in excess of 50%. The authors performed CT examinations on 26 patients with ARDS. The test was needed to rule out intra-abdominal abscesses, empyemas, or additional pathology not imaged on chest radiographs. The pattern of lung disease was analyzed according to distribution. Diffuse consolidation, multifocal patch involvement, and lobar or segmental disease were detected. Over half of the patients developed cystic lung spaces. Pleural effusions, pneumothoraces, and unexpected abscesses and empyemas were discovered. The authors conclude that CT in ARDS can disclose additional complications not visible on bedside chest radiographs, thus improving the management of selected patients