Imaging of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) have a crucial role to play in the diagnosis and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The identification of pulmonary opacification is a requirement for the definition of ARDS on the chest radiograph, while CT has a role to play, not only in the diagnosis of ARDS, but also in the identification of complications. This paper reviews the radiological appearances of ARDS that have been documented for some time, and also more recent research that has identified a role for CT in directing ventilation and in prognostication.