Atelectasis

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Bronchoscopy

Lungs

Respiratory system

Atelectasis is the collapse of part or (much less commonly) all of a lung.

See also: Pneumothorax

Partial lung collapse

Atelectasis is caused by a blockage of the air passages (bronchus or bronchioles) or by pressure on the outside of the lung.

It is common after surgery, or in patients who were in the hospital.

Risk factors for developing atelectasis include:

• Anesthesia
• Foreign object in the airway (most common in children)
• Lung diseases
• Mucus that plugs the airway
• Pressure on the lung caused by a buildup of fluid between the ribs and the lungs (called a pleural effusion)
• Prolonged bed rest with few changes in position
• Shallow breathing (may be caused by painful breathing)
• Tumors that block an airway

Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

---

---