Rounded atelectasis of the lung

Abstract

Rounded atelectasis of the lung (RA) is a lesion well described in the medical literature, yet often very difficult to diagnose. In recent years, the widespread use of high-resolution imaging modalities employed in the struggle against cancer, coinciding with the peak of the asbestos epidemic, have boosted the detection frequency of RA. However, its differential diagnosis still poses a challenge to the pulmonary specialist and the radiologist, as little is known about its pathogenesis. Furthermore, the multifactorial etiology of RA and its occasional coexistence with lung cancer make the task of confidently ruling out malignancy sometimes daunting. This article attempts to provide an update on RA's etiology, radiological evaluation, clinical management, and prognosis based on recent advances in broadly available diagnostic modalities and minimally invasive interventional procedures. An exemplary case of post-tuberculous RA is illustrated, as RA often presents as an unusual finding of a fairly common disease.

Rounded atelectasis of the lung: A pictorial review

“…The most common cause of rounded atelectasis is occupational exposure to mineral dusts: asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, inhalation of mixed mineral dusts [1,6]. Frequent incidence of rounded atelectasis was also demonstrated in exudative pleuritis due to various causes: in the course of tuberculosis, hemothorax, following cardiosurgical procedures, in chronically dialyzed patients.…”

“…Rounded atelectasis is less common in pulmonary diseases directly affecting pleura, such as in legionellosis, histoplasmosis and in patients with end stage renal disease. Atelectasis may also occur in the course of sarcoidosis and in young adults without history of pulmonary diseases [1,7,8]…”

“…Rounded atelectasis is a rare form of peripheral alveolar collapse that develops as a result of pleural diseases [1–4]. The lesion is always adherent to the surface of the pleura and may suggest a carcinoma of the lung.…”

The lung riddle: A Blesovsky's syndrome case

“…It has [1] like exposure to mineral dust of asbestos (most common cause) and silica, exudative pleural effusions like tuberculosis and para-pneumonic effusions, infections like Legionella pneumonia and histoplasmosis and also heart failure. Rounded atelectasis is a radiological diagnosis and characteristic findings on CT scan include [2] : (i) Rounded pleural-based mass, 4-7 cm in diameter, which forms an acute angle with the pleura and is never completely surrounded by the lung.…”

Tubercular Round Atelectasis: A Rare Case Report

“…The most common cause of rounded atelectasis is occupational exposure to mineral dusts: asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, inhalation of mixed mineral dusts. 2 ; however, any cause of pleural inflammation can cause round atelectasis. Rounded atelectasis is less common in pulmonary diseases directly affecting pleura such as in legionellosis, histoplasmosis and in patients with end-stage renal disease.…”