Plain chest manitestations in disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)

Yang, B C; Park, C Y; Choe, K O; Choi, B S

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is one of rapidly progressive, and serious disease. But early diagnosisand treatment derive good result. Plain chest radiography reveals intersititial and alveolar consolidation sofindings are non-specific and diagnosis of DIC from that radiograph is very difficult. But radiological findingsof DIC appear early and make itself generally useful for early diagnosis and follow-up of progress. 14 case of DICat radiological department in Medical College of Yonsei University has been experienced. We have analysedradiological findings in chest X-ray and hematologic data. The result obtained are as follows; 1. The underlyingcause of DIC is septicemia in 4 cases, gastroenteritis in 3 cases , upper respiratory infection in 2 cases ,abtuptio-placenta in 2 cases, toxic hepatitis in 1 case, post-op, mechanical ileus after manual reduction ofintussusception in 1 case and unknown origin in 1 case, respectively. 2. Chest PA findings showed bilateralinfiltration ifn 13 cases, among which 7 case involved the intersititnum of perihilar or paracardiac region, andthe remained extensive interstitial and alveolar infiltration on entirelungs but accentuated on central portionsof lung. The pulmonary fibrosis is demonstrated in 6 cases among 8 of follow-up cases. The degree of pulmonaryfibrosis in these is roughly related to pulmonary infiltration during active disease. 3. The hematologic value inthis cases is decreased platelet count in all cases, prolongation of prothrombine time is 12 case and prolongationof PTT in all cases. fibrinogen values are decreased in 7 among 8 cases. 4. Findings of plain chest is nonspecificbut with help of hematologic studies. The plain chest seems to be a simple and accurate method not only in earlydiagnosis of DIC but also follow-up of progress. The chaneg in plain chest roughly correlated with hematologicchanges, and prognosis of patient.