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Appearance of Round Atelectasis on Radiological Images

Short Communication | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2693-2156/080

Appearance of Round Atelectasis on Radiological Images

  • M.rhaouti 1
  • f. lamouime 2
  • m.lakranbi1 3
  • y.ouadnouni 4
  • m.smahi 5

*Corresponding Author: Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University Faculty of Medicine (Fes), Morocco

Citation: M.rhaouti; f. lamouime; i.arramach; m.lakranbi1; y.ouadnouni1; m.smahi1. (2024), Appearance of Round Atelectasis on Radiological Images Journal of Thoracic Disease and Cardiothoracic Surgery; 5(1): DOI: 10.31579/2693-2156/080

Copyright: © 2024 M.rhaouti, This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: 15 December 2023 | Accepted: 26 December 2023 | Published: 04 January 2024

Keywords: parenchymal ; thoracic ; atelectasis

Abstract

Round atelectasis, or folded lung, involves parenchymal collapse linked to pleural thickening, often in the outer lung areas of the lower lobes. Pathological analysis reveals pleural fibrosis above the affected tissue, with fibrotic pleura invaginating into the collapsed region. This condition typically occurs in the peripheral lung, particularly in the dorsal regions of the lower lobes [1,2].

Introduction

Round atelectasis, or folded lung, involves parenchymal collapse linked to pleural thickening, often in the outer lung areas of the lower lobes. Pathological analysis reveals pleural fibrosis above the affected tissue, with fibrotic pleura invaginating into the collapsed region. This condition typically occurs in the peripheral lung, particularly in the dorsal regions of the lower lobes [1,2].
Observation :
A 35-year-old patient, with a history of occupational asbestos exposure, was admitted for the management of persistent isolated chronic cough despite symptomatic treatment. The clinical examination revealed no particularities. A thoracic CT scan (Figure 1) revealed a subpleural pulmonary consolidation in the left lower lobe, oval in shape, well-defined, with regular contours, homogeneous, and measuring 46mm*33mm*43 mm, with some air bubbles, without calcification or excavation. It also showed retraction of the left lower lobe without visualization of an endobronchial lesion, presence of a 5mm homogeneous nodule in the left upper lobe of the lingula, and a left pleural effusion, raising the suspicion of a tumor or a cystic lesion.

 

Figure 1 : image montrant une condensation du LIG
The patient underwent a scannoguided biopsy, and the pathological examination confirmed a fibro-inflammatory remodeling. A specialized radiological review suggested a round atelectasis of the left lower lobe that mimicked a pulmonary tumor, due to the presence of vessels and bronchi curving around the periphery of the mass, forming the base of the comet tail sign. 
A bronchial fibroscopy was performed, and no anomalies were found.
Since the lobe was completely destroyed, a lobectomy was considered, and the pathological examination confirmed fibrous pleural thickening with chronic adenitis.

References

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