Passive atelectasis
Updates to Article Attributes
Passive atelectasis, also known as relaxation atelectasis, refers to a form of lung atelectasis due to loss of the negative pressure state in the pleural space. With a loss of the negative intrapleural pressure, the lung is no longer held against the chest wall and is said to relax back to its normal volume. There may not be a significant increase in density from the atelectasis as perfusion of the affected lung also decreases.
Clinical presentation
The clinical presentation would depend on the extent of atelectasis and how quickly it develops. Small and gradually developing areas of atelectasis may be asymptomatic or present as a non-productive cough. Larger areas that develop more quickly can present with features of hypoxia and respiratory failure.
Physical examination of the lung may reveal diminished movement of the affected area, dullness on percussion, decreased or absent breath sounds, and deviation of the trachea to the affected site.
ExaminationPathology
Physical examination of the lung would reveal diminished movement of the affected area, dullness on percussion, decreased or absent breath sounds, and deviation of the trachea to the affected site.
Aetiology
Causes of passive/relaxation atelectasis may be grouped into three main categories.
1. simple pneumothorax
2. diaphragmatic abnormalities
diaphragmatic herniaParalysis of the diaphragm-
Congenital eventration of the diaphragm
3. conditions of hypoventilation
pleural effusionhaemothoraxpleural tumourchest wall mass lesion
Aetiology
Causes of passive/relaxation atelectasis may be grouped into three main categories.
1. simple pneumothorax
2. diaphragmatic abnormalities
diaphragmatic herniaParalysis of the diaphragm-
Congenital eventration of the diaphragm
3. conditions of hypoventilation
pleural effusionhaemothoraxpleural tumourchest wall mass lesion
-<p><strong>Passive </strong>or<strong> relaxation atelectasis</strong> refers to a form of <a href="/articles/lung-atelectasis">lung atelectasis</a> due to loss of the negative pressure state in the pleural space. With a loss of the negative intrapleural pressure, the lung is no longer held against the chest wall and is said to <em>relax</em> back to its normal volume. There may not be a significant increase in density from the atelectasis as perfusion of the affected lung also decreases.</p><h4>Clinical presentation <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>- +<p><strong>Passive</strong><strong> atelectasis</strong>, also known as <strong>relaxation atelectasis</strong>, refers to a form of <a href="/articles/lung-atelectasis">lung atelectasis</a> due to loss of the negative pressure state in the pleural space. With a loss of the negative intrapleural pressure, the lung is no longer held against the chest wall and is said to <em>relax</em> back to its normal volume. There may not be a significant increase in density from the atelectasis as perfusion of the affected lung also decreases.</p><h4>Clinical presentation <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
-</h4><p>The clinical presentation would depend on the extent of atelectasis and how quickly it develops. Small and gradually developing areas of atelectasis may be asymptomatic or present as a non-productive cough. Larger areas that develop more quickly can present with features of hypoxia and respiratory failure.</p><h4>Examination</h4><p>Physical examination of the lung would reveal diminished movement of the affected area, dullness on percussion, decreased or absent breath sounds, and deviation of the trachea to the affected site.</p><h4><!--EndFragment--></h4><h4>Aetiology</h4><p>Causes of passive/relaxation atelectasis may be grouped into three main categories.</p><p>1. simple <a href="/articles/pneumothorax">pneumothorax</a></p><p>2. <a href="/articles/pneumothorax">diaphragmatic abnormalities </a></p><ul>- +</h4><p>The clinical presentation would depend on the extent of atelectasis and how quickly it develops. Small and gradually developing areas of atelectasis may be asymptomatic or present as a non-productive cough. Larger areas that develop more quickly can present with features of hypoxia and respiratory failure.</p><p>Physical examination of the lung may reveal diminished movement of the affected area, dullness on percussion, decreased or absent breath sounds, and deviation of the trachea to the affected site.</p><h4><!--EndFragment--></h4><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Aetiology</h5><p>Causes of passive atelectasis may be grouped into three main categories:</p><ul>
- +<li>simple <a href="/articles/pneumothorax">pneumothorax</a>
- +</li>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/pneumothorax">diaphragmatic abnormalities </a><ul>
-<li>Paralysis of the diaphragm</li>-<li>Congenital eventration of the diaphragm <!--EndFragment-->- +<li>paralysis of the diaphragm</li>
- +<li>congenital eventration of the diaphragm <!--EndFragment-->
- +</li>
- +</ul>
-</ul><p>3. conditions of hypoventilation</p><ul>- +<li>conditions of hypoventilation<ul>
- +</ul>
- +</li>
References changed:
- 4. Ray K, Bodenham A, Paramasivam E. Pulmonary Atelectasis in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain. 2014;14(5):236-45. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkt064">doi:10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkt064</a>
- 5. Woodring J & Reed J. Types and Mechanisms of Pulmonary Atelectasis. J Thorac Imaging. 1996;11(2):92-108. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00005382-199621000-00002">doi:10.1097/00005382-199621000-00002</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8820021">Pubmed</a>
- 5. Komal Ray, Andrew Bodenham, Elankumaran Paramasivam; Pulmonary atelectasis in anaesthesia and critical care, Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, Volume 14, Issue 5, 1 October 2014, Pages 236–245, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkt064
- 6. Woodring JH, Reed JC. Types and mechanisms of pulmonary atelectasis. J Thorac Imaging. 1996;11 (2): 92-108.
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