Atelectasis

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Atelectasis
Classifications and external resources
ICD-10 J98.1
ICD-9 518.0
DiseasesDB 10940
MedlinePlus 000065
eMedicine med/180 

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.

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] Symptoms

[edit] Diagnosis

Post-surgical atelectasis will be bibasal in pattern.

[edit] Treatment

As per the underlying cause. Post-surgical atelectasis is treated by physiotherapy, focusing on deep breathing and encouraging coughing. Atelectasis does not require antibiotics. Ambulation is also highly encouraged to improve lung inflation.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Medical Terminology Systems: A Body Systems Approach, 2005

Incentive Spirometer is also used to prevent or help treat atelectasis after surgery.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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