Lobar Atelectasis: Diagnostic

Pitfalls on Chest Radiography

Presented by : dr.Ikhwanul hakim Nst
Lectured by
: dr.Netty D Lubis, SpRad (K).

However
Diagnosis of lobar
atelectasis showing
typical radiographic
appearance is clear

Introduction

When the feature of

lobar atelectasis are
unusual, it may easily be
missed or misdiagnosed
as other disease

Group 1
Atelectasis with marked volume loss

Group 2
Atelectasis presenting as a mass-like opacity

Group 3
Atelectasis in an unusual location

Classification of Unusual
Manifestations of Lobar Atelectasis

 Most case of atelectasis in this group are caused by

peripheral airway obstruction
The lobe in this group is small and may be overlooked on
plain chest radiograph
However, many anatomical alterations as indirect sign of
lobar atelectasis can be identified (figure 1-6)

Group 1: atelectasis with

marked volume loss

 Lobar atelectasis sometimes presents as a mass-like

opacity with a sharp lateral margin on the chest
radiograph (fig 7-10), and may be misdiagnosed as a
mediastinal or lung tumor
CT is useful in differentiating atelectasis from
mediastinal or lung tumor (fig 8-9)

Group 2: Atelectasis presenting

as a mass-like opacity

 The lower lobe is generally tethered to the mediastinum

and the hemidiaphragm by the inferior pulmonary
ligament
In contrast, the upper lobe and right middle lobe are
incompletely fixed
The atelectatic upper lobe and right middle lobe often
mobile, resulting in an unusual location (fig 10-13)

Group 3: Atelectasis in an
unusual location

TERIMA KASIH