THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE PULMONARY ALVEOLAR VESSELS IN MENDELSON'S (ACID PULMONARY ASPIRATION) SYNDROME

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Abstract
The suggestion that pulmonary oedema following the introduction of fluids into the bronchial tree is due to damage to the pulmonary alveolar capillaries has been investigated in electron microscopic studies of rabbits' lungs after intratracheal injections of hydrochloric acid solution, water and saline solution. Introduction of all three fluids produced comparable structural changes in affected parts of the lung, involving dehiscence of the endothelial layer of the alveolar-capillary membranes and minor changes in the other layers. In the presence of acid, but not of water or saline solution, neutrophil cellular accumulation and necrotic changes occurred in the alveolar tissues. The relevance of these observations to the production of Mendelson's syndrome is considered.

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