Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is defined as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema temporally related to transfusion therapy.
It tends to occur within 6 hours after a blood transfusion and requires exclusion of other alternative diagnoses such as sepsis or volume overload.
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Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Shows features of pulmonary edema which can progress to alveolar and interstitial infiltrates. The lung opacities usually clear within 96 hours in 80% of patients.
Treatment and prognosis
It tends to be self-limiting and treatment is supportive, with a prognosis substantially better than most causes of clinical acute lung injury.