Atelectasis is the collapse of part or all of a lung.
See also: Pneumothorax
Alternative NamesPartial lung collapse
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAtelectasis is caused by a blockage of the air passages (bronchus or bronchioles) or by pressure on the outside of the lung.
Risk factors for developing atelectasis include:
The goal of treatment is to re-expand the collapsed lung tissue. If fluid is compressing the lung, removing the fluid may allow the lung to expand.
The following are treatments for atelectasis:
In an adult, atelectasis in a small area of the lung is usually not life threatening. The rest of the lung can make up for the collapsed area, bringing in enough oxygen for the body to function.
Large atelectases may be life threatening, especially in a baby or small child, or someone who has another lung disease or illness.
The collapsed lung usually reinflates gradually once the obstruction has been removed. However, some scarring or damage may remain.
ComplicationsPneumonia may develop rapidly after atelectasis.
Massive atelectasis may result in the complete collapse of a lung.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of atelectasis.
PreventionMason RJ, Broaddus VC, Murray JF, Nadel JA. Mason, Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders; 2005.
Westerdahl E, Lindmark B, Eriksson T, Friberg O, Hedenstierna G, Tenling A. Deep-breathing exercises reduce atelectasis and improve pulmonary function after coronary artery bypass surgery. Chest. November 2005;128:3482-3488.
Atelectasis is the collapse of part or (much less commonly) all of a lung.
See also: Pneumothorax
Alternative NamesPartial lung collapse
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAtelectasis is caused by a blockage of the air passages (bronchus or bronchioles) or by pressure on the outside of the lung.
It is common after surgery, or in patients who were in the hospital.
Risk factors for developing atelectasis include:
The goal of treatment is to re-expand the collapsed lung tissue. If fluid is putting pressure on the lung, removing the fluid may allow the lung to expand.
The following are treatments for atelectasis:
In an adult, atelectasis in a small area of the lung is usually not life threatening. The rest of the lung can make up for the collapsed area, bringing in enough oxygen for the body to function.
Large areas of atelectases may be life threatening, especially in a baby or small child, or someone who has another lung disease or illness.
The collapsed lung usually reinflates slowly if the blockage of the airway has been removed. However, some scarring or damage may remain.
ComplicationsPneumonia may develop quickly after atelectasis in the affected part of the lung.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of atelectasis.
PreventionBarker AF. Bronchiectasis, atelactasis, cysts, and localized lung disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 90.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
what is bilateral posterior atelectasis of the lungs
Resorption atelectasis
atelectasis = collapse of the lungs. posteriorly = toward the back.
An atelectasis is a collapse of a part or of the whole lung caused by inner factors rather than a pneumothorax.
atelectasis
The man was suffering from atelectasis and almost died. This word describes a lung that has collapsed completely or partially.
atelectasis
Lung
Scarring of the lunch may or may not be deadly, depending on the severity. Subsegmental atelectasis is deadly, as it is a collapsed lung.
A pneumothorax frequently lead to atelectasis because it will force the lungs to collapse. This is a condition whereby air it trapped outside the lungs.
atelectasis
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