[CT, radiologic and pathologic correlative study of pulmonary edema and respiratory distress syndrome in animal model]

Animal models of cardiogenic edema, overhydration edema and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were established in 12 rabbits, radiography and CT of the chest were taken in supine position and compared with pathology. In cardiogenic and overhydration edema, the lesion is located at the posterior part of the lungs and around the hili both on CT image and the pathologic specimen. On the radiograph the lesion was projected onto the middle and inner zones of the lungs. In RDS, both CT and pathology showed that the peripheral and posterior parts of the lungs were involved, while on radiograph, the hazy shadows were situated at the periphery of the lungs or in a diffuse pattern. The authors were of the opinion that CT can demonstrate the lesions more clearly than radiography. The underlying mechanism for different distribution of lesions in pulmonary edema and RDS was discussed.