Which imaging pattern is associated with ARDS and used to describe a late-stage pattern?

Which imaging pattern is associated with ARDS and used to describe a late-stage pattern?

• A. Ground-glass opacity
• B. Consolidation
• C. Honeycomb pattern
• D. Reticulonodular pattern

Answer: (C)

In ARDS, imaging evolves from acute edema and inflammation to fibrotic remodeling over time. Early CT findings often show diffuse ground-glass opacities from alveolar edema and inflammation. As the injury progresses and healing shifts toward fibrosis, you see more reticulation and architectural distortion. In the late, fibrotic stage, the lungs develop small, stacked cystic spaces—air-filled cavities surrounded by thickened walls—especially in subpleural and basilar regions. This cluster of cystic spaces gives the characteristic honeycomb appearance, signaling irreversible fibrotic remodeling and a late-stage pattern. Ground-glass opacities reflect edema/inflammation rather than established fibrosis, and consolidation represents alveolar filling rather than chronic structural change. Reticulonodular patterns can indicate interstitial thickening, but the distinct late-stage feature described for ARDS is the honeycomb pattern.

In ARDS, imaging evolves from acute edema and inflammation to fibrotic remodeling over time. Early CT findings often show diffuse ground-glass opacities from alveolar edema and inflammation. As the injury progresses and healing shifts toward fibrosis, you see more reticulation and architectural distortion. In the late, fibrotic stage, the lungs develop small, stacked cystic spaces—air-filled cavities surrounded by thickened walls—especially in subpleural and basilar regions. This cluster of cystic spaces gives the characteristic honeycomb appearance, signaling irreversible fibrotic remodeling and a late-stage pattern.

Ground-glass opacities reflect edema/inflammation rather than established fibrosis, and consolidation represents alveolar filling rather than chronic structural change. Reticulonodular patterns can indicate interstitial thickening, but the distinct late-stage feature described for ARDS is the honeycomb pattern.