A 58-year-old man is admitted to the hospital 12 hours after the onset of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. He has a history of alcohol use disorder, with several previous admissions for intoxication and acute pancreatitis. Few hours after admission, he has worsening dyspnea. His temperature is 38.3°C (100.9°F), pulse is 120/min, respirations are 30/min, and blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 85%. The patient is intubated and mechanically ventilated, but the patient dies in the next day due to respiratory failure. Which of the following autopsy findings is most likely in this patient?

Question

A 58-year-old man is admitted to the hospital 12 hours after the onset of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. He has a history of alcohol use disorder, with several previous admissions for intoxication and acute pancreatitis. Few hours after admission, he has worsening dyspnea. His temperature is 38.3°C (100.9°F), pulse is 120/min, respirations are 30/min, and blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 85%. The patient is intubated and mechanically ventilated, but the patient dies in the next day due to respiratory failure.   Which of the following autopsy findings is most likely in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Pancreatitis is a major risk factor for acute respiratory distress syndrome as it results in the release of large amounts of cytokines which recruit neutrophils to the lung tissue, which cause capillary damage and leakage of protein-rich fluid into the alveoli.  Later, cellular proliferation and collagen deposition occurs, and in some patients, this cause the alveoli to become lined with waxy hyaline membranes.

A 58-Year-Old Man Is Admitted to the Hospital 12 Hours