DIAGNOSTIC-IMAGING OF PNEUMONIA AND ITS COMPLICATIONS IN THE CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT

The interpretation of chest radiographs in an ICU setting poses numero us problems. The radiographic patterns are often nonspecific, and seve ral different pathologic processes may be present in the lungs at the same time. Clinical information can be both helpful and misleading in the interpretation of these radiographs. This article focuses primaril y on the radiographic abnormalities caused by pneumonia and the adult respiratory distress syndrome; however, other causes of lung disease i n ICU patients are also discussed.