Diffuse alveolar damage

Diffuse alveolar damage is a histological pattern in lung disease. It is seen in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) and acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP).

Prevalence

It is a common biopsy finding. Through histology, diffuse alveolar damage goes through several stages:

1. Exudative phase - similar to pulmonary edema. The alveoli become flooded with transudate
2. Hyaline membrane production. Hyaline membranes are fibrous structures laid down in order to stop oxygen being absorbed via the damaged alveoli.
3. Organising phase

Etiology

Diffuse alveolar damage is associated primarily with ARDS and TRALI in adults, and hyaline membrane disease in neonates. It is most commonly associated with infection.

References

External links

• Gross pathology of DAD - utah.edu.
• Microscopic pathology of DAD - utah.edu.

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