Atelectasis
Atelectasis
8; External view of the lung. € The hyperinflated regions are tan (white arrow). € The atelectatic regions are deep pink gray and seem to be depressed relative to the tan regions (black arrow).


(Image Contrib. by:UCHC)(Description by: Melinda Sanders, M.D.)
T28000M32800
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Atelectasis
Etiology

• Obstruction of airway

• Compression with fluid/blood/neoplasm/air in pleural space

• Loss of surfactant


Pathogenesis

• Complete obstruction of inflow results in eventual absorption of air; partial obstruction results in hyperinflation

• Compression results from increased intrathoracic pressure by accumulation of material generally in pleural spaces


Epidemiology

• Acquired in adulthood

• Airway obstruction by foreign object or secretion

• Pleural effusions with congestive heart failure


Clinical

• Reversible process

• Correct underlying problem


General Gross Description

• Dark purple, airless (non-crepitant) tissue

• Hyperinflated regions are tan and pillowy


General Micro Description

• Collapse of alveolar septae against each other

• May be difficult to separate from artifacts of
sectioning


Reference

• Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 675.


• Current literature from PubMed at National Library of Medicine


Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D., UCHC
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