THE RADIOLOGY OF ACUTE PULMONARY OEDEMA

Abstract

The radiological features of acute pulmonary edema were studied in 20 cases, 14 due to left ventricular failure and 6 to mitral stenosis. The X-ray film showed dense cloudy opacities spreading from the hila into the central parts of the lungs and into the lung bases, obscuring the hilar vessels and the lung markings. The apices are usually spared and the lateral costophrenic angles are often clear. The cloudiness may be dense or blotchy and disappears quickly with treatment of the heart failure. X-rays of the characteristic findings are shown.