Atelectasis chest x ray

Atelectasis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Atelectasis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Atelectasis chest x ray On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Atelectasis chest x ray All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Atelectasis chest x ray
CDC on Atelectasis chest x ray
Atelectasis chest x ray in the news
Blogs on Atelectasis chest x ray
Directions to Hospitals Treating Atelectasis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Atelectasis chest x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].

OR

An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

X Ray

• There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].

OR

• An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include:
  • [Finding 1]
  • [Finding 2]
  • [Finding 3]

OR

• There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include:
  • [Complication 1]
  • [Complication 2]
  • [Complication 3]

CXR Chest radiograph Signs of lobar collapse may be visualised on CXR Direct signs: Displacement of fissures Opacification of the collapsed lung lobe Indirect signs: Hilar displacement Shifting of the mediastinum towards collapsed lung lobe Volume loss on ipsilateral hemithorax Elevation of ipsilateral diaphragm Rib crowding Compensatory hyperlucency of the remaining lobes Silhouetting of the diaphragm or the heart border

Complete atelectasis of an entire lung: Opacification of the entire hemithorax due to complete collapse of a lung Ipsilateral shift of the mediastinum, that helps distinguish atelectasis from pleural effusion

Right upper lobe (RUL) collapse: Medial and superior shift of collapsed RUL Right hilum elevation Right minor fissure elevation Sign of Golden S: Concave appearance of minor fissure

Right middle lobe (RML) collapse: Appears as a triangular opacity

Right lower lobe (RLL) collapse: Posterior and inferior shift of collapsed RLL The major fissure, which normally is not visible, is seen Superior triangle sign: shift of superior mediastinal structure to the right

Collapsed RLL blurs the posterior third of the right hemidiaphragm. Concomitant RML and RLL atelectasis:

Appears as an elevated right hemidiaphragm or a subpulmonic effusion

Left upper lobe (LUL) collapse: Atelectatic LUL shifts anteriorly and superiorly PA view: Atelectatic LUL produces a faint opacity in the left upper hemithorax

Left lower lobe (LLL) collapse: Retrocardiac opacity Downward displacement of the hilum Aortic-knob sign: obliteration of the aortic arch by the superior mediastinum Lateral radiographs Opacity makes the posterior third of the left diaphragm indistinct

Rounded atelectasis: • Formation of fibrous bands which adhere the lung to the pleura in patients with asbestosis • Location: Lower lobes, lingula, or RML

Chest radiographs:

Subpleural mass

Comet-tail sign:  bronchovascular structures projecting out of the mass toward the hilum, in a swirl appearance  

parietal pleural plaque

Post-surgical atelectasis will be bibasal in pattern.

Images shown in this section are courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted.

• 

  Right lower lobe collapse

• 

  Right lower lobe collapse. The same patient. Lateral view.

• 

  Left upper lobe collapse

• 

  Left upper lobe collapse

• 

  Left lower lobe collapse

• 

  S Sign of the Golden

• 

  S Sign of the Golden