J Korean Radiol Soc.  1999 Aug;41(2):327-332. 10.3348/jkrs.1999.41.2.327.

Acute Respiratory Distress Sy n d rome (ARDS): HRCT Findings in Survivors

• Jung JI
• Park SH
• Lee JM
• Song JS
• Lee KY

• KMID: 2103388
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1999.41.2.327

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe the high-resolution computed tomography (H RCT) findings of the lung in survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Among eleven patients who survived ARDS for one ye a r, chest radiography and HRCT revealed pulmonary fibrosis in four. Causes of ARDS included pneumonia during pregnancy, near drowning, pneumonia during liver cirrhosis, and postoperative sepsis. Thoracoscopic biopsy and histopathologic correlation were available in one patient. HRCT showed diffuse interlobular septal thickening, ground glass opacity, parenchymal distortion, and traction bronchiectasis. Fuzzy centrilobular nodules were seen in two patients and one patient had multiple, large bullae in the left hemithorax. In all patients, lesions affected the upper and anterior zones of the lung more prominently. The distribution of pulmonary fibrosis was characteristic and reflected the pathogenesis of lung injury; fibrosis was largely due to hy p e r oxia caused by ventilator care. In one patient, histopathologic correlation showed that imaging findings were accounted for by thickening of the alveolar septum along with infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells and fibrosis. Fuzzy centrilobular nodules corresponded with bronchiolitis.

Keyword

Lung, CT; Lung, fibrosis; Computed tomography (CT), high-resolution

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiolitis
Fibrosis
Glass
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis
Lung
Lung Injury
Near Drowning
Pneumonia
Pregnancy
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Radiography
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult
Sepsis
Survivors*
Thorax
Traction
Ventilators, Mechanical