A CT scan may be helpful in establishing the etiology of respiratory failure as it may detect underlying disease. CT can also predict the incidence of respiratory failure after trauma to the spine. Findings on CT tend to be similar to those found on plain x-ray. Findings on CT scan suggestive of pre-existing COPD include hyperinflation and a flattened diaphragm. CT findings suggestive of interstitial lung disease include reticular nodular shadows. Findings on CT scan suggestive of acute respiratory distress include cardiomegaly, redistribution of vessels, peribronchial cuffing, pleural effusion, lines within the septum, and bat-wing distribution of perihilar infiltrates. CT may also reveal pathology of the neck, brainstem and peripheral nervous system, such as stroke, tumor and transection of the spinal cord.

• A CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of respiratory failure as it may detect underlying disease.^[1]
• CT can also predict the incidence of respiratory failure after trauma to the spine.
• Findings on an CT suggestive of pre-existing COPD include:
  • Hyperinflation
  • Flattened diaphragm
• Findings on CT suggestive of interstitial lung disease include:
  • Reticular nodular shadows
• Findings on CT suggestive of acute respiratory distress include:
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Redistribution of vessels
  • Peribronchial cuffing
  • Pleural effusion
  • Septal lines
  • Perihilar infiltrates
• CT may also show etiologies in the neck, central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

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