Value of Chest Radiography in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

In a prospective investigation of 19 patients with traumatic (n = 11) and septic (n = 8) shock at risk of developing the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), serial chest films were monitored. Eight patients developed ARDS, 2 following traumatic shock and 6 following septic shock. Only 2 of these 8 patients exhibited radiographic abnormalities consisting in bilateral widespread infiltrates of the alveolar type. In the 2 patients ARDS had already developed before artificial ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) was instituted. In the other 6 patients, in whom ventilator treatment with PEEP was initiated prophylactically or early in the disease, the chest films remained virtually normal despite development of a marked pulmonary insufficiency. It is concluded that early ventilator treatment with PEEP counteracts the classical radiographic abnormalities of ARDS, probably by reducing alveolar oedema and atelectasis. Thus, presently, with use of early or prophylactic ventilator treatment with PEEP as a therapeutic measure against ARDS chest radiography may be of limited value in the diagnosis. However, it should be essential for early recognition of therapy requiring complications.