[Respiratory distress syndrome of the adult in the computer tomograph]

Pulmonary changes due to the adult respiratory distress syndrome, which are visualized in the roentgenogram as spreading from the hilus to the periphery, often show a distribution in dorsocentral direction in the computer tomogram, a phenomenon which occurs especially during the oedema phase under the influence of gravity. In addition, there are ARDS developments involving the expected spread from the root of the lung, particularly so with patients of advanced age and with septic-toxic diseases. The causes and significance of these differences are discussed.