The dynamic change of CT radiopathology of high altitude pulmonary edema

Objective: To observe the CT manifestations and their radiological features of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and to compare the detection rate of abnormal findings between CT and chest X-ray film. Methods: Thirty-two subjects (male=19, female=13; age range 19-54 years, median age=35.5) were included in this study. Nine of the patients had continuous CT scans and X-ray examinations. Results: (1) CT scan manifestations: 28 of the 32 patients demonstrated more significant pathological changes in their right lungs (χ2=93.08, P<0.01). In the early and recovery stages of HAPE, abnormal interstitial tissues were dominant; while in the developing and stable stages, the consolidation of the lung tissue manifested the most, and obvious compensative emphysema was observed in the non-consolidated areas. The manifestation of the consolidation in the course of HAPE developed gradually from 'ground-glass' appearance in the lobules to nodular consolidation then to large area consolidation. (2) CT scan was able to show more details of the pulmonary change than the X-ray in the early and recovery stages (χ2=11.46, P<0.01); while there was no significant difference in the developing and stable stages (χ2=2.12, P>0.05). Conclusion: CT scan can detect HAPE in the early stage, and it can also accurately determine the course of the disease, assess the treatment effects, and improve the prevention and management of HAPE. (author)