Overview
Atelectasis refers to alveolar volume loss resulting in collapse of a portion of the lung.
Diagnosis
Chest X-Ray Findings
- Pulmonary opacification
- Air bronchograms - tubular outlines of the smaller airways
- Silhouette signs - obliteration of normally clear outlines between lung fields and adjacent structures
Evidence of Volume Loss
- Crowding of pulmonary vessels
- Underinflation
- Hemidiaphragmatic elevation
- Tracheal deviation toward the area of atelectasis
- Mediastinal shift toward the area of atelectasis
- Hilar displacement
Causes of Atelectasis
- Airway obstruction - mucous plugging, tumour, foreign body, bronchial intubation
- Airway compression - lymphadenopathy, tumour
- Lung compression - pleural effusion, pneumothorax
- Hypoventilation - general anaesthesia, opioids, obesity
Examples
- Left-sided pleural effusion with evidence of volume loss
![Left-sided pleural effusion with evidence of volume loss]()
- Large right-sided pneumothorax resulting in significant atelectasis
![Large right-sided pneumothorax resulting in significant atelectasis]()
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