The adult respiratory distress syndrome in association with diabetic keto-acidosis. A case report.

A 41-year-old man presented in stupor, with ketoacidosis and acute severe respiratory failure. He had a history of alcohol abuse and had been on insulin therapy for diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis for 11 years. the condition was rapidly progressive and the patient died within 5 hours of presentation of profound hypoxia and hypotension despite aggressive therapy. Autopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of 'shock lung'. None of the more commonly associated precipitating factors of adult respiratory distress syndrome could be detected clinically or at autopsy and the pathogenesis of the condition remains elusive.