Adult respiratory distress syndrome: radiologic manifestations and course.
During a 36-month period, the serial chest x-ray films of 26 patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were evaluated for the patterns of onset, course, and follow-up appearance when possible. An exudative phase appearance can be recognized, which can clear. The exudative phase appearances are (1) a bilateral, homogeneous, white-out alveolar appearance; (2) an asymmetric consolidative appearance; and (3) a central perihilar ("bat-wing") consolidative appearance. This progresses to a proliferative phase manifested on chest x-ray film as an interstitial appearance that must not be confused with fibrosis, as the chest x-ray film may return to normal.
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D011859:Radiography; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D012769:Shock / Q000150:complications