- Etiology: pre-term infants have not begun producing surfactant, lack of surfactant results in diffuse microatelectasis
- CXR: low lung volumes and symmetrical (apex to base as well as left to right) ground glass opacity in both lungs (until artificial surfactant is given), bell-shaped chest, most common change seen on serial CXR is atelectasis from decreased ventilator settings in attempt to wean patient off of ventilator
- Complications:
— Lung parenchymal disease due to interstitial fibrosis – can choose 2 paths after 30 days: Chronic lung disease (less severe) or Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (more severe)
— Barotrauma – pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum - Clinical: called respiratory distress syndrome in < 30 days, bronchopulmonary dysplasia or chronic lung disease in > 30 days, can also rarely been seen in term infants who congenitally lack ability to produce surfactant
Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome



Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome After Asymmetrical Distribution of Artificial Surfactant


Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Atelectasis From Hypoventilation

Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema



Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Pneumopericardium

Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Pneumomediastinum

Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Skin Fold Simulating Pneumothorax

Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Pneumothorax







Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Pneumoperitoneum


Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Chest Tube Malfunction

Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Endotracheal Tube Malfunction


Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Umbilical Venous Catheter Malfunction






Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Umbilical Arterial Catheter Malfunction


Radiology Cases of Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Malfunction
