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Atelectasis – Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

Atelectasis is a reduction in the amount of air in the lungs and a loss of lung volume.

Atelectasis can be:

  1. Congenital, occurs in prematurely born infants whose lungs are not fully developed and do not expand (fill with air) due to reduced surfactant production.

This disorder is called respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. Breathing is realized with great effort, leading to complete exhaustion, inability to breathe, lung collapse, and death.

  1. Acquired atelectasis occurs in two ways. The first type of acquired atelectasis occurs due to pressure on the lungs and expulsion of air from them, such as in cases of hydrothorax, pneumothorax, ascites, and pressure from a tumor (compressive), while the second type occurs due to the filling of the airways with exudate, inhaled foreign bodies, or tumors in the bronchi (obstructive).

Acquired atelectasis can also be caused by a pathological process that reduces the production of surfactant.

Symptoms of Atelectasis

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Atelectasis often has few symptoms if it develops slowly or involves only a small part of the lungs. Conversely, if the condition develops quickly or affects a larger part, the symptoms can be dramatic and even lead to shock.

Atelectasis usually occurs bilaterally, meaning in both lung wings.

Common symptoms include: Shortness of breath (dyspnea);

  • Unproductive cough;
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea);
  • Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths (pleuritic chest pain);
  • A bluish tint to the lips or fingers caused by a lack of oxygen (cyanosis).

Diagnosis of Atelectasis

  • Chest X-ray;
  • Computed tomography (CT scan);
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
  • Bronchoscopy;
  • Blood gases (oximetry) to assess the level of oxygen deprivation;
  • Positron emission tomography (PET scanning).

Treatment Options for Atelectasis

The treatment of atelectasis depends on the underlying cause. If a tumor is the reason for the collapse, surgery may be involved.

For pleural effusion, drainage of the pleural cavity may be necessary. For internal obstructions, bronchoscopy can be used to remove a foreign object, while bronchodilator drugs can help open the airways.

In most cases, a combination of therapeutic approaches is required. Please note that this translation is provided for understanding purposes and may not be perfect. If you need an official translation, it’s best to consult a professional translation service.

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