Atelectasis is a partial or total lung collapse that causes sudden chest pain, difficult and rapid breathing, and a cough.
While this condition can be scary, it is not typically life threatening in an adult because the remaining area of the lung can take over for the collapsed region.
In an infant or small child or a person with a concurrent lung disorder, atelectasis can become a life threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
This article shares how to recognize the signs and symptoms of atelectasis, what causes the condition and available treatment options.
Atelectasis is caused by an obstruction (i.
e.
foreign object or mucus) in the airways (i.
e.
bronchus or bronchioles) leading to the lungs.
Other causes can include a compression of the airways by a tumor or enlarged lymph node, or a complication following abdominal surgery.
Atelectasis may be present in a newborn if the lungs fail to expand at birth.
Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain and there is frequently a cough associated with the lung collapse.
Other less common symptoms include dizziness, fever, and possibly shock.
When forming a diagnosis of this condition the aforementioned symptoms are usually first noticed by the person.
An evaluation of the patient by a physician will be necessary to confirm the presence of atelectasis and this evaluation may include a physical examination, bronchoscopy,chest x-rays or CT scan, or blood tests.
Treatment varies depending on the cause and severity of the atelectasis.
The condition may resolve spontaneously when an obstruction is removed.
Surgery may be necessary if a tumor or enlarged lymph node is compressing the airway.
Pain relievers (i.
e.
acetominophen) may be taken to relieve pain.
A patient who develops atelectasis should be observed for the development of pneumonia, which can develop quickly after a lung collapse.