Atelectasis

In a neonate, the failure of the lung to completely expand at birth; generally, a collapsed lung. The collapse may be complete or partial.

A collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs.

The failure of a lung to expand properly.

Incomplete expansion of all or part of the lung in a newborn or collapse of lung tissue in the adult. Collapse, caused by obstruction of the airways or compression on the lung (e.g., by tumor or enlarged lymph glands), produces increasing difficulty in breathing and fever, and often leads to pneumonia and serious complications.

Collapse of lung tissue resulting in impaired gaseous exchange.

Collapse of all or part of a lung owing to trauma or disease. In newborns, the term signifies failure of the lungs to expand.

A chronic or acute condition that arises when a small portion of the lung tissue collapses, usually caused by obstruction of a bronchial tube. As a result, the collapsed tissue is unable to properly exchange oxygen. The condition may be caused by obstruction of the airway by a tumor, mucous plugs, or foreign bodies lodged in the bronchi; abnormalities in the bronchial structures; external compression of an airway from an enlarged lymph node; or compression of the lungs caused by the abnormal presence of fluids or gases. Atelectasis is a common postoperative complication of surgery performed in the upper abdomen, on the lungs, or on the heart.

Failure of part of the lung to expand. This occurs when the cells lining the air sacs (alveoli) are too immature, as in premature babies, or too damaged by inhaled substances or secretions to produce the wetting agent (surfactant) with which the surface tension between the alveolar walls is overcome. The lung can usually be helped to expand by physiotherapy and supportive measures, but prolonged atelectasis becomes irreversible.

Collapse of a part of the lung, or failure of the lung to expand at birth.

A collapsed or airless condition of the lung.

The partial or complete collapse of the lung, typically caused by the obstruction of the air passages due to fluid, mucus, or infection.

The collapse of a section or the entirety of a lung can occur due to blockage in either the bronchus, which is the primary air passage within the lung, or the bronchioles, which are smaller air passages. When such obstructions happen, the air present in the lung becomes trapped and unable to be exhaled, ultimately getting absorbed into the bloodstream. As a consequence, all or part of the lung collapses. Once collapsed, the lung loses its elasticity and becomes incapable of inhaling air. This, in turn, prevents the blood flowing through the lung from effectively absorbing oxygen or expelling carbon dioxide.

In adults, atelectasis, which refers to the collapse of a lung, is generally not a life-threatening condition as the remaining unaffected portions of the lung and/or the other lung can compensate for the loss of function in the collapsed area. However, when a newborn infant experiences lung collapse, it poses a significant risk to the baby’s life.

The blockage of a bronchus or bronchiole can be attributed to the accumulation of mucus. This mucus buildup commonly occurs in newborn babies at birth, individuals with asthma, those who have undergone abdominal or chest surgeries that impede coughing due to pain, and in certain infections such as pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough) among children or chronic bronchitis (characterized by inflammation of the bronchi) in adults.

Additionally, obstructions can occur due to the accidental inhalation of foreign objects, the presence of lung tumors, or enlarged lymph nodes that exert pressure on the airway. These lymph nodes can enlarge in conditions such as tuberculosis, certain other lung infections, or specific forms of cancer. Furthermore, it is worth noting that a collapsed lung can become susceptible to infection.

The primary indication of atelectasis is the presence of shortness of breath. Depending on the underlying cause, individuals may also experience a cough and chest pain as accompanying symptoms.

Atelectasis is typically diagnosed through the use of a chest X-ray, and the treatment approach focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the blockage. Treatment options may involve physiotherapy or bronchoscopy, a procedure that utilizes a rigid or flexible viewing tube to remove the obstruction. If successful in removing the blockage, the lung can reinflate normally.