Airless Lung - Atelectasis

Atelectasis is a condition in which part of the lung becomes airless and collapses.

What is going on in the body?

The lungs are divided into large sections called lobes. Each lobe is divided into smaller segments. Each of these segments is composed of thousands of small air cavities. These tiny spaces are called alveoli, and they look somewhat like a honeycomb. Each alveoli is held open by complex walls called alveolar walls. These walls, along with a substance called surfactant that is produced by the lung, help keep the alveoli open and filled with air. When healthy people breathe, air travels all the way down the bronchial tubes to the alveoli. It is through these walls that gases like oxygen are transferred into the blood. When the alveoli cannot stay open, atelectasis occurs. When that happens, the lung cannot pass oxygen to the blood.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

There are several types of atelectasis.

Obstructive atelectasis occurs when something prevents air from reaching the alveoli. This blockage may be caused by:

Compressive atelectasis results when the air passages are closed from the outside. An enlarging lung tumor may press on the outside of the larger bronchial tubes, resulting in partial or complete closure.

Adhesive or congenital atelectasis results from the lack of surfactant. Surfactant is a protein found naturally in the lungs that helps with gas exchange in the alveoli. It also helps keep the lungs elastic. This type of atelectasis can be caused by congenital disorders such as hyaline membrane disease. Without surfactant, the alveolar walls alone cannot keep the alveoli open.

People are more at risk for atelectasis if they:

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Symptoms depend on how much of the lung is involved. A person may not even be aware of atelectasis if only a small part of the lung is affected. But, if a large part of the lung is involved, a person may have these symptoms:

How is the condition diagnosed?

Atelectasis is diagnosed by a person's symptoms and the physical exam findings. A chest x-ray that shows the airless part of the lung confirms the diagnosis. A chest CT scan may help the doctor find the cause.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

In some cases, a person may be able to reduce his or her risk for this condition by exercising regularly and by not smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke.

Atelectasis can also be a complication of surgery. When possible, healthcare providers should:

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

The long-term effects are often related to the cause. Atelectasis due to surgery should have no long-term effects. Once treated with breathing exercises, the lung should function well again. Chronic illnesses, such as emphysema or cystic fibrosis, may result in atelectasis that never completely resolves. Scar tissue can form inside of the lung as a result of chronic atelectasis. These scarred areas may never function well again.

What are the risks to others?

People with congenital lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, may pass a risk of atelectasis on to their children.

What are the treatments for the condition?

Medicines are often used, depending on the problem. For instance, medicines can:

Controlling the pain in people with chest traumas or people who have undergone surgery is very important. This enables them to do deep breathing exercises, forcing air into their lungs. These exercises open the alveoli and reduce atelectasis.

Some people receive relief from chest physical therapy. This can mechanically remove mucous blocking the airways through clapping, patting, and massaging the chest and back over the lungs. Sometimes suctioning the airway with a small plastic tube may help.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

The side effects of treatment are much less distressing than the atelectasis. Each medicine will have side effects. Suctioning can be hard to tolerate, but usually relieves the blockage quite well.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

After treatment, if the cause was short-term as in surgery, the lungs will usually recover fully. But, if the cause was cystic fibrosis or emphysema, the illness may persist and symptoms will recur.

How is the condition monitored?

Monitoring is done with regular physical exams and routine chest x-rays. Pulmonary function tests are done as needed. These tests measure how much air the lungs can hold. They also measure how well the lungs move air in and out, and how well they exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Author:Vincent J. Toups, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:10/10/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:10/10/02

Sources