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 Atelectasis refers to the partial or complete collapse of the lungs. There are many different types of atelectasis, absorption atelectasis being one such type. Absorption atelectasis refers to the condition where the reduction of nitrogen concentration in the lungs causes a collapse. Under normal circumstances, the air you breathe contains nearly 78% of nitrogen. It is this nitrogen that helps keep the alveoli or air sacs in the lungs open and functioning properly. Nitrogen provides a certain amount of surface tension that prevents the collapse of the alveoli. When people are hospitalized or have undergone surgery and general anesthesia, large amounts of oxygen are usually administered. This decreases the nitrogen concentration in the air and leads to absorption atelectasis.

Resorption atelectasis is another type of atelectasis that occurs when an obstruction in the lungs prevents air from reaching the airways. The air is absorbed into the surrounding areas and the alveoli collapse. Depending on the size of the obstruction, the collapse could be partial or complete and involve segments of a lobe, the whole lobe or even the entire lung. The most common cause of resorption atelectasis is the presence of a mucus plug in the bronchioles. Such mucus plugs may develop as a side effect of anesthesia or surgery or as a complication of other respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. Young children may suffer from this type of atelectasis after inhaling a foreign object such as a marble or a peanut that then gets stuck in the airways.

Risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing absorption or resorption atelectasis include:

• Age
• Premature birth
• Other lung diseases or respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis
• Pneumothorax
• Pleural effusion
• Pulmonary edema
• Smoking
• Congestive heart failure
• Obesity
• Conditions that restrict regular activity and movement such as bed rest, spinal cord injury, stroke, heart attack or any other severe illness
• Scoliosis
• Trauma or injury to the chest wall
• Recent surgery or general anesthesia
• Use of supplemental oxygen
  

Symptoms of Atelectasis

In cases where the collapse is small or partial, there may be no signs or symptoms of atelectasis. When the collapse is larger or in rare cases, complete, decreased oxygen supply to the body may cause symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Shallow breathing
• Chronic cough
• Decrease in chest movement while breathing
• Wheezing
• Fever
• Chest pain
• Lips and nails turn blue
• Rapid heartbeat and pulse

Diagnosis of any type of atelectasis will require a chest x-ray or CT scan. In some cases, a procedure known as bronchoscopy may be performed to investigate and remove any obstructions.

Treatment for Atelectasis

The goal of any treatment method for atelectasis is to cure or remove the underlying cause of the condition. In cases of blockages or obstruction of the airways, removal of the mucus plug or foreign object is necessary. Deep breathing exercises can help re-inflate the collapsed portion of the lungs and return functioning to normal. Other treatments for atelectasis include:

• Physical therapy techniques such as clapping to loosen mucus plugs from the lungs
• Postural drainage to remove excess fluid collected in the lungs
• Suction machines to remove excess fluid
• The use of a ventilator if breathing on one’s own is not possible
• Inhaled medications to open up the airways
• Antibiotics to treat an infection
• Use of PEP devices to help breathe better

Atelectasis can be prevented by:

• Stopping smoking
• Losing weight if you are obese
• Treating lung disorders and respiratory conditions to limit possible complications
• Keeping small objects away from children and infants
• Following instructions after surgery regarding movement and deep breathing
  

References:

1. http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=12032

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