37 Right Upper Lobe Atelectasis

CASE 37


image Clinical Presentation


38-year-old man status post recent abdominal surgery requiring ventilator support with an abrupt drop in oxygen saturations and decreased breath sounds over the upper right thorax


image Radiologic Findings


AP chest radiograph (Fig. 37.1) shows cephalad displacement of the horizontal fissure (arrow) and elevation of the right hilum (asterisk) and diaphragm. Note the decrease in volume of the right hemithorax and the ipsilateral mediastinal shift.


image Diagnosis


Right Upper Lobe Atelectasis; Obstructing Mucus Plug


image Differential Diagnosis


• Aspirated Foreign Body (e.g., tooth)



image


Fig. 37.1


image Discussion


Background


The horizontal fissure and upper half of the oblique fissure approximate by shifting upward and forward, respectively (Fig. 37.2). On lateral chest radiography, both fissures appear gently curved. The horizontal fissure assumes a concave configuration inferiorly, whereas the oblique fissure may appear convex, concave, or flat (Fig. 37.2). On frontal radiography, the horizontal fissure maintains a superiorly convex morphology. With increased volume loss, the horizontal fissure continues to move up, over the apex of the thorax, and the collapsed lobe becomes contiguous with the superior mediastinum. In total lobar atelectasis, the volume of the collapsed right upper lobe may be so small that the atelectatic lobe mimics superior mediastinal widening on the frontal chest exam (Figs. 37.2, 37.3

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Jan 14, 2016 | Posted by in RESPIRATORY IMAGING | Comments Off on 37 Right Upper Lobe Atelectasis

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