Atelectasis | Chest Radiology Essentials

Companion Anki Deck for this talk: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/10490...

Atelectasis is a condition in which the lung or a part of it collapses and does not expand properly during breathing. There are several forms of atelectasis, each with its own set of causes:

1. Passive (a.k.a Relaxation) Atelectasis: This form of atelectasis happens when something in the pleural space, such as fluid or air, permits the visceral pleura to freely move and allow unimpeded elastic recoil of underlying lung parenchyma.

2. Adhesive atelectasis: This occurs when there is a lack of normally functioning surfactant, which is a substance that helps the lung expand during breathing. Without enough surfactant, the alveolar spaces stick together, making it difficult to expand.

3. Obstructive (a.k.a. Resorptive) Atelectasis: This type of atelectasis occurs when there is a central airway obstruction that prevents air from reaching a part of the lung. This may be caused by mucus plugs, tumors, foreign bodies, or narrowing of the airway.

4. Cicatricial (a.k.a. Contraction) atelectasis: This type of atelectasis occurs when scarring/fibrosis prevents lung from expanding properly. This may be due to scarring from lung disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis, or from surgery or radiation therapy… or from pleural disease.

Round atelectasis: This uncommon form of cicatricial atelectasis occurs when pleural fibrosis prevents a region of peripheral lung from expanding.

The treatment of atelectasis may involve addressing the underlying cause. Causes of atelectasis can vary depending on the type, but some factors include surgery, trauma, prolonged bed rest, chronic disease, malignancy, and certain medications.

Some of the case images in this talk appear courtesy of Ahmed El-Sherief, MD.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
05:58 - Passive Atelectasis
11:25 - Adhesive Atelectasis
18:36 - Obstructive Atelectasis
25:35 - Obstructive Atelectasis: Right Upper Lobe
29:12 - Obstructive Atelectasis: Right Middle Lobe
32:06 - Obstructive Atelectasis: Right Lower Lobe
34:05 - Obstructive Atelectasis: Left Upper Lobe
35:52 - Obstructive Atelectasis: Left Lower Lobe
38:13 - Cicatricial Atelectasis
40:18 - Round Atelectasis

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