CT Findings of Pulmonary Edema: Comparison of Various Causes

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the CT findings of pulmonary edema and to compare them, according to the cause. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings (thin section, 20 ; thick section, 16) of pulmonary edema in 36 patients [cardiacdisease (group I, n=20), renal disease (group II, n=13), ARDS (group III, n=3)] were analyzed and compared. Therewere 21 men and 15 women ranging in age from 27 to 77 years. Distribution (even, central, or peripheral) andpatterns of pulmonary edema were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: The distribution of edema, appearingas consolidation or ground-glass opacity, was even in 75% (n=15) of group I, even in 46% (n=6) and central in 38%(n=5) of group II, and peripherally predominant in 100% (n=3) of group III. Interlobular septal thickening wasseen in 80% (n=16), 69% (n=9), and 0% of group I, II and III, respectively. Centrilobular ground-glass opacity wasnoted in six patients. CONCLUSION: In spite of various findings and considerable overlapping of the findings ofpulmonary edema, the distribution and pattern of edema differed according to the cause, and this can be helpfulfor differential diagnosis.