Concept and Etiology
: Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of
the entire lung or area (lobe) of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air
sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated or possibly filled with
alveolar fluid (Mayo Clinic 2018). This means the affected lobe of
the lung cannot inflate and deflate causing normal respirations.
Atelectasis can happen when there is an airway blockage, when
pressure outside the lung keeps it from expanding, or when there is
not enough surfactant for the lung to expand normally. When your
lungs do not fully expand and fill with air, they may not be able to
deliver enough oxygen to your blood. (National heart, lung and blood
institute 2021)
Classification
: Atelectasis can be categorized into obstructive and
non-obstructive atelectasis. (Grott & Dunlap, 2019). Obstructive
atelectasis can be caused by a foreign body, mucus plug or a tumour
inside the airway. Non obstructive atelectasis can be caused by
injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, pneumothorax, scarring of the
lung tissue or tumour (Mayo Clinic 2018)
Clinical Manifestations (Symptoms and Signs)
: While in some cases
there are no symptoms with mild cases, more severe cases
have symptoms that are present and they are usually:
Difficulty breathing
Rapid, shallow breathing
Wheezing
Cough
Fever
Low blood oxygen
Diagnostic Tests:
Chest X-ray,
Chest CT and/or thoracic ultrasonography
fibreoptic bronchoscopy (Grott & Dunlap, 2019).
Bronchoalveolar lavage
References
Grott, K., & Dunlap, J. D. (2019, August 22). Atelectasis. Nih.gov; Stat
Pearls
Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545316/
Mayo Clinic. (2018). Atelectasis - Symptoms and causes. Mayo
Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atelectasis/
symptoms-causes/syc-20369684
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (2021)- Atelectasis.
Retrieved November 11, 2021, from Atelectasis | NHLBI,
NIH
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atelectasis
