[Reversibility of shock-induced pulmonary fibrosis (author's transl)]

A case of shock-induced respiratory failure is reported and the diagnostic criteria of this condition are reviewed. As regards the anatomicopathological aspects the following factors are of prognostic importance: 1. pre-existing pulmonary disease, 2. integrity of the alveolar basal membranes, 3. proliferation of the pulmonary morphological elements, 4. development of immature collagenous and elastic fibres in the alveolar and extra-alveolar interspaces. A diagnostically reliable estimation of these factors is possible only by means of biopsy. Although this procedure carries some risks the incidence of complications is not higher than it is in respect of biopsies of other parenchymatous organs. However, it is advisable to reserve lung biopsies for those cases where all other non-invasive methods have failed to establish the diagnosis.