Atelectasis
This is the medical term for imperfect expansion or collapse of a segment, lobe or lobes of the lung. Atelectasis could be congenital or acquired.
I will discuss more on acquired atelectasis in this issue, the causes of which may be the following:
1. Bronchial obstruction
– mucus plugs
– foreign bodies
– granulomatous lesions such as TB
2. Abnormal alveolar surface tension
3. Cardiomegaly, diaphragmatic hernia
4. Increased intrapleural pressure resulting from a serous effusion, pus, blood and or air in the pleural space
5. Neuromuscular disease
Clinically, the symptoms presented by the patient may usually refer to the primary disease. The following may be seen in patients with atelectatic lung;
– lag in expansion
– narrowing of the intercostal spaces
– dullness of breath sounds
– absence of breath sounds
Chest x-rays are done to confirm the diagnosis of atelectasis in patients.
The most common complications of atelectasis are the following:
- permanent damage to the bronchus distal to the obstruction,
- fibrosis and bronchiectasis.
If the cause of the atelectasis is being addressed to then prognosis is good; however, death may occur if the cause is life-threatening.