Atelectasis
| Atelectasis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Pulmonology  |
Atelectasis is defined as a state in which the lung, in whole or in part, is collapsed or without air.[1] It is a condition where the alveoli are deflated, as distinct from pulmonary consolidation.
Causes
The most common cause is post-surgical atelectasis, characterized by splinting, restricted breathing after abdominal surgery. Smokers and the elderly are at an increased risk. Outside of this context, atelectasis implies some blockage of a bronchiole or bronchus, which can be within the airway (foreign body, mucus plug), from the wall (tumor, usually SCC) or compressing from the outside (tumor, lymph node, tubercle). Another cause is poor surfactant spreading during inspiration, causing an increase in surface tension which tends to collapse smaller alveoli. There are several types of atelectasis according to their underlying mechanisms or the distribution of alveolar collapse ; resoprtion, compression, microatelectasis and contraction atelectasis.
Symptoms
- cough, but not prominent
- chest pain (rare)
- breathing difficulty
- low oxygen saturation
- fever
- pleural effusion (transudate type)
Diagnosis
- chest X-ray
Post-surgical atelectasis will be bibasal in pattern.
Treatment
As per the underlying cause. Post-surgical atelectasis is treated by physiotherapy, focusing on deep breathing and encouraging coughing. An incentive spirometer is often used as part of the breathing exercises. Atelectasis does not require antibiotics. Ambulation is also highly encouraged to improve lung inflation.
Footnotes
- ^ Medical Terminology Systems: A Body Systems Approach, 2005
Incentive Spirometer is also used to prevent or help treat atelectasis after surgery.
References
- Gylys, Barbara A. and Mary Ellen Wedding (2005), Medical Terminology Systems, F.A. Davis Company Paul H. Park
External links
- 6-71a. at The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Professional Edition
- 04-048a. at Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Home Edition
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