What is alveolar edema?
Alveolar edema reflects transudative fluid filling the alveolar sacs. This is seen when pulmonary capillary wedge pressure exceeds 25 mm Hg. This often appears as hazy central airspace opacities on chest radiographs and ground glass opacities on CT.
Mimickers of this pattern include certain infections such as PCP or viral pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, inhalational exposures, or diffuse alveolar damage.
