Which radiological finding is indicative of RDS on a chest X-ray?

• A. Hyperinflation
• B. Ground glass appearance
• C. Consolidation
• D. Normal lung volume

Answer: (B)

The presence of a ground-glass appearance on a chest X-ray is a significant radiological finding indicative of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), particularly in premature infants. This appearance results from the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the alveoli and the alveolar collapse, which are hallmarks of RDS.

In RDS, the surfactant deficiency leads to reduced surface tension in the alveoli, causing them to collapse and resulting in poor oxygenation. The ground-glass opacity appears as a hazy fog-like image on the X-ray due to the loss of clarity in the lung fields, which reflects the underlying pathology associated with this condition.

Radiological features such as hyperinflation and consolidation would indicate different processes, such as chronic lung disease or pneumonia, respectively. In a healthy scenario where RDS is not present, normal lung volume would be expected, which is not characteristic of the pathophysiology of RDS. Thus, the ground-glass appearance is a distinct radiological signature reflective of the underlying disorder, making it the correct answer.