Atelectasis
Einstein Health Glossary
ICD 10 - J98.1
What is Atelectasis?
Atelectasis is the collapse of a lung or part of it, occurring when the air sacs in the lung (alveoli) lose air
Symptoms
The main symptoms of atelectasis are difficulty breathing, cough, chest pain, low-grade fever, and tachycardia. Many patients do not show symptoms. In some cases, complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure may occur
Causes
Atelectasis commonly occurs due to hypoventilation after anesthesia and surgery. Other causes include airway obstruction by mucus, foreign objects or tumors, and pressure on the lung due to trauma or pneumonia, for example
Diagnosis
Atelectasis is usually diagnosed with chest X-rays or computed tomography. In some cases, bronchoscopy may be used for diagnosis and treatment
Prevention Method
To reduce the risk of atelectasis, it is recommended to walk after surgeries, perform breathing exercises, avoid smoking, and keep small objects that can be aspirated away from children
Treatment
Treatment for atelectasis depends on the cause and severity. It may involve deep breathing exercises, respiratory physiotherapy, inhaled medications, mechanical ventilation, and surgery
Duration
The duration of atelectasis varies depending on the cause, but many cases are quickly reversible after treating the underlying cause
Contagious?
Atelectasis is not contagious
Can it be contracted more than once?
Yes, it is possible to have more than one episode of atelectasis in a lifetime