To analyze the imaging features of cardiogenic pulmonary congestion and pulmonary edema for more reliable clinical diagnosis.

One hundred patients with cardiogenic pulmonary congestion and pulmonary edema admitted to our hospital were enrolled in this study and their imaging features were retrospectively analyzed.

From the images, cardiac enlargement was found in 96 cases (96.0%), pulmonary blood bypass in 40 cases (40.0%), pulmonary congestion in 44 cases (44.0%), and interstitial pulmonary edema in 53 cases (53.0%), including bronchial sleeve sign in 22 cases (22.0%) and Kelery B, A, and C line in 31 cases (31.0%), which were shown as thickening and blurring of the pulmonary texture and the portopulmonary blood vessels, occurrence of pulmonary interlobular septum line and subpleura line, thickening and increasing of bronchial vascular bundles, occurrence of bronchial sleeve sign, and thickening of the interlobular septum in a smooth type. Alveolar edema occurred in 40 cases (40.0%), showing as gradually increasing density of thin gauzes and cloud-like or cloud-white flake exudation. The typical manifestation was increased pterygoid density centering on the hilar of the lungs. Among them, 19 cases (19.0%) had ground glass shadow/cavity consolidation and blurring edge and 21 cases (21.0%) had butterfly wing sign. Pleural effusions occurred in 75 cases (75.0%).

The imaging changes of pulmonary congestion and pulmonary edema are earlier than the clinical changes, which are rapidly developed and complexly changed. Through analyzing the chest edema images, more reliable bases can be found for the doctor′s clinical diagnosis and for improving the clinical treatment outcome.