Abstract
Imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and follow-up of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Chest radiography, bedside lung ultrasonography and computed tomography scans can provide useful information for the management of patients and detection of prognostic factors. However, imaging findings are not specific and several possible differential diagnoses should be taken into account. Herein we will review the role of radiological techniques in ARDS, highlight the plain radiological and computed tomography findings according to the pathological stage of the disease (exudative, inflammatory and fibroproliferative), and summarise the main points for the differential diagnosis with cardiogenic oedema, which is still challenging in the acute stage.
Footnotes
Previous articles in the Series. No. 1: Guérin C. Prone ventilation in acute respiratory distress. Eur Respir Rev 2014; 23: 249–257. No. 2: Finney SJ. Extracorporeal support for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Eur Respir Rev 2014; 23: 379–389.
Provenance: Submitted article, peer-reviewed.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
- Received February 9, 2014.
- Accepted April 27, 2014.
- ©ERS 2014
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