Fibroatelectatic refers to a condition characterized by the presence of fibrous tissue and atelectasis, which is the partial or complete collapse of the lung or a section of it. This condition often results from chronic lung diseases, where inflammation and scarring lead to decreased lung volume and impaired gas exchange. It can be observed in various respiratory disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis or after prolonged periods of immobility. Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause and improving lung function.
No. The best is that you try to prevent more damage.
This term is used by some diagnostic radiologists to characterize certain types of opacities or "shadows" seen occasionally on chest x-rays. The term atelectasis is well represented in radiology literature and has been well studied and characterized ever since the first historical chest films were obtained. Atelectasis refers to accordian-like folding and partial collapse of lung airspaces due to a variety of causes, most likely caused either by blockage of an adjacent airway, or due to compression from some nearby disease process. Inherent in the definition is the idea that atelectasis is most commonly transient and reversible, and will generally resolve and re-expand over time. Fibroatelectasis is not an accepted medical/pathological/radiological term, but instead a conflation of two ideas into one, lung micro-collapse and lung scarring. This term would then attempt to give a name to atelectasis that persists over months and years, without resolution. This term was probably coined by a creative radiologist, but is not used in most academic settings or teaching hospitals.