OBJECTIVE: To describe the radiologic findings of migrating lobar atelectasis of the right lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest radiographs (n = 6) and CT scans (n = 5) of six patients with migrating lobar atelectasis of the right lung were analyzed retrospectively. The underlying diseases associated with lobar atelectasis were bron-chogenic carcinoma (n = 4), bronchial tuberculosis (n = 1), and tracheobronchial amyloidosis (n = 1). RESULTS: Atelectasis involved the right upper lobe (RUL) (n = 3) and both the RUL and right middle lobe (RML) (n = 3). On supine anteroposterior radiographs (n = 5) and on an erect posteroanterior radiograph (n = 1), the atelectatic lobe(s) occupied the right upper lung zone, with a wedge shape abutting onto the right mediastinal border. On erect posteroanterior radiographs (n = 6), the heavy atelectatic lobe(s) migrated downward, forming a perior infrahilar area of increased opacity and obscuring the right cardiac margin. Erect lateral radi-ographs (n = 4) showed inferior shift of the anterosuperiorly located atelectatic lobe(s) to the anteroinferior portion of the hemithorax. CONCLUSION: Atelectatic lobe(s) can move within the hemithorax according to changes in a patient's position. This process involves the RUL or both the RUL and RML.
Amyloidosis/radiography ; Atelectasis/*radiography ; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/radiography ; Female ; Human ; Lung Diseases/radiography ; Male ; Middle Age ; Posture ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/radiography

PURPOSE: Endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchogenic cancer are common causes of atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis in Korea. Differntiation between endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma is important for the treatment and prognosis but it is sometimes difficult to differentiate these two lesions with radiologic examinations. The purpose of this study was to find the differential points between endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma associated with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients in whom atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis was detected on chest radiographs comprised the study. A definite mass opacity was not observed on chest radiographs in all patients. In these patients, the causes of obstruction were endobronchial tuberculosis (n=20) and bronchogenic cancer (n=20) which were microbiologically or pathologically confirmed. RESULTS: Double obstructive lesions were more frequently found in endobronchial tuberculosis (8/20) than in bronchogenic cancer (1/20). Multiple calcifications along the bronchial wall and severe distortion of bronchi were observed only in endobronchial tuberculosis (4/20) and associated low density mass at obstruction site was only observed in bronchogenic cancer (6/20). Bronchial dilatation (11/20) and parenchymal calcifications (14/20) distal to obstruction site, air containing bronchogram at post obstructive bronchus (14/20) were more frequently found in endobronchial tuberculosis. Contour bulging at obstruction site (14/20), and only mucus bronchogram at post obstructive bronchus (14/20) were more frequently found in bronchogenic carcinoma. CONCLUSION: In patients with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis, endobronchial tuberculosis is characterized by double obstructive lesion, multiple calcifications at the bronchial wall, and severe distortion of the bronchi. Endobronchial carcinoma is characterized by a low density mass at the obstructive site.
Bronchi ; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic* ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Korea ; Mucus ; Pneumonia* ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Atelectasis* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tuberculosis*

We experienced a case of simple pneumonediastinum showing the findings of pleural effusion. Frontal chest radiography showed not only pneumomediastinum but also diffuse haziness with sharp medial margin on left lower lung field, blunting of costophrenic angle, and indistinct contour of diaphragm simulating pleural effusion. CT scan confirmed that these findings arose from the displaced pleura and the associated compression atelectasis by loculated air on the anterior mediastinum.
Diaphragm ; Lung ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Mediastinum ; Pleura ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Radiography ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To describe plain radiographic and thin-section CT findings of hematogenous candida pneumonia in major burn patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed nine cases of hematogenous candida pneumonia in major burn patients who had positive blood culture for candida and findings of pneumonia on plain chest radiograph. On five of nine cases, thin-section CT was done. We evaluated retrospectively nine cases for onset, the pattern, distribution, and size of lesions on plain chest radiograph and thin-section CT. RESULTS: On plain chest radiograph, randomly distributed 2-10mm nodules were seen in six cases(66%) and randomly distributed 10-15mm consolidations in remaining three cases{33% ). Lesion occured in 11th to 75th post-burn day{average, 34th post-burn day). Other findings were cardiomegaly in three cases, atelectasis in three cases, and pulmonary edema in one case. Thin-section CT showed variable shaped subpleural nodules in all five cases. The size of nodules were 1-5mm in two cases(40%) and 5-10mm(60% ) in three cases. Feeding vessel signs were seen in two cases. Other findings were atelectasis in three cases, cardiomegaly in three cases, ground-glass opacity and interlobular septal thickenings by pulmonary edema in two cases. CONCLUSION: Plain chest radiographic findings of hematogenous candida pneumonia in major burn patients are randomly distributed nodules or consolidations of variable size. Thin-section CT findings are variable shaped subpleural nodules less than 1 cm.
Burns* ; Candida* ; Cardiomegaly ; Humans ; Pneumonia* ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax*

Rounded atelectasis is a focal, pleural-based lesion that is the result of pleural and subpleural scarring and atelectasis of the adjacent lung tissue. We experienced a case of asbestosassociated rounded atelectasis that had developed in a 50-year-old male. When examined with routine chest radiography, the patient was shown to have an asymptomatic chest mass.Computed tomography showed a pleural-based mass with a curvilinear shape about 4.2 cmin greatest diameter in the medial basal segment of the right lower lobe. To exclude the possibilityof malignancy the mass was excised by video-assisted thoracotomy. The mass wasround and firm, and was gray and yellow in color. Microscopically, marked pleural fibrosisextended into the underlying lung parenchyme and then resulted in atelectasis. There areferruginous bodies in dense fibrous pleura.
Asbestos ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleura ; Pulmonary Atelectasis* ; Radiography ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax

The first case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis(ABPA) was reported by Hinson, et al. in 1952. This was followed by a number of significant description of the disorder. Although typical ABPA initially presents with asthma, fleeting pulmonary infiltrates, and marked eosinophilia, there are many other ways in which the disease may be first manifested. Common radiologic findings in ABPA include pulmonary infiltrates, atelectasis, emphysema, fibrosis, lobar shrinkage with hilar elevation, cavitation, pneumothorax, aspergilloma and central bronchiectasis. We experienced a case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis presenting rare radiologic finding of bilateral pulmonary masses in chest radiography. With oral corticosteroid treatment, the size of both pulmonary masses was decreased significantly and his asthmatic symptoms were improved.
Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary* ; Asthma ; Bronchiectasis ; Emphysema ; Eosinophilia ; Fibrosis ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Radiography ; Thorax

PURPOSE: To analyze differences in the radiologic and clinical findings of pulmonary complications between an inhalation and non-inhalation group of major burn patients, and to apply the findings to the specific diagnosis of pulmonary complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 45 major burn patients (18 with inhalation injury, and 27 without) in whom pulmonary complications ensued. Follow-up studies were based on chest radiographs obtained between initial burn day and postburn (PB) 57 (mean, day 27). Types, times of onset, underlying causes, and changes at follow-up study of pulmonary complications between the inhalation and the non-inhalation group were assessed. RESULTS: In the inhalation group, the most frequent complication was air-borne pneumonia (n=7, 39%); others were hydrostatic pulmonary edema (n=5, 28%), ARDS (n=5, 28%), atelectasis (n=5, 28%), inhalation pneumonitis (n=3, 17%), pleural effusion (n=3, 17%), and hematogenous pneumonia (n=1, 6%). In the non-inhalation group, airborne pneumonia (n=8, 30%) was also the most common complication; other were hydrostatic edema (n=6, 22%), ARDS (n=5, 19%), atelectasis (n=5, 19%), pleural effusion (n=5, 19%) and hematogenous pneumonia (n=2, 7%). The average times of onset were as follow: for airborne pneumonia, PB day 13.1 (range, 5-27) in the inhalation group, and PB day 21.7 (10-49) in the non-inhalation group; for hematogenous pneumonia, more than one month, regardless of inhalation; for ARDS, PB day 4.9 (2-15) and PB day 13 (7-20) in the inhalation and non-inhalation group, respectively; and for inhalation pneumonitis, PB day 1.7 (1-3). The most common probable cause of ARDS in the inhalation group was inhalation injury (3/5), and in the noninhalation group, sepsis (4/5). CONCLUSION: In major burn patients, pulnonary complications differed in terms of their onset time and causes between the inhalation group and the non-inhalation group. In such cases, awareness of the presence or absence of inhalation injury and the onset time of pulmonary complications is necessary if complications are to be specifically diagnosed.
Burns* ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sepsis

From January 1981 to December 1989, total 42 patients with atelectasis from lung cancer were treated with radiation therapy at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology in Kyung Hee University Hospital. The reexpansion of atelectasis after radiotherapy of the lung was evaluated retrospectively, utilizing treatment records and follow-up chest radiographs. Of the patients with non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, the response rate was 62% (21/34). Patient with small cell carcinoma showed a 75% (6/8) response rate. There appears to be some evidence of a relationship of total tumor dose versus response of atelectasis; radiation dose over 40 gy (1337 ret), had a favorable effect on the rate of response compared with that below 40 gy (1297 ret), 70% (21/30) and 50% (6/12), respectively (p<0.01). Total response rate (partial and complete responses) of all patients was 64% (27/42). Franction size was not contributed to the difference of response rates between small fraction (180~200 cgy) and large fraction (300 cgy), 53% (14/22) and 65% (13/20), respectively. The results of this study suggest that radiation therapy has a definite positive role in management of atelectasis caused by lung cancer, especially in inoperable non-small cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Pulmonary Atelectasis* ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the abnormalities of chest radiographs including atelectasis in children who were admitted with bronchial asthma. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the 357 chest radiographs and the clinical and laboratory features of the 144 children with asthma, who were admitted at Daejoen St. Mary's Hospital from April 1994 to May 1998. RESULTS: Clinical and laboratory characteristics were as follows: male to female ratio, 2.1 : 1; mean age, 4.8 years of age; mean numbers of admission, 2.5; mean hospitalization, 5.0 days; mean IgE, 387 IU/mL; mean eosinophil count, 362/mm3. In the abnormal findings of the 357 radiographs, there were 314 cases(88.0%) of hyperinflation, pulmonary infiltration 35.0%, atelectasis 5.3% and pneumomediastinum 0.3%. All(19) cases of atelectasis were observed in the right lung field with mostly segmental and lobular distribution, except one with lobar involvement. Atelectasis was predominant in males and those under 2 years of age. There was a tendency that the right upper lung was more involved under two years while the right lower lung was more involved over seven years of age. CONCLUSION: Radiographs of children admitted to hospital with bronchial asthma showed abnormal findings including pneumonia or atelectasis(5.3%). These abnormal findings can help to determine other therapeutic modalities in addition to asthma treatment.
Asthma* ; Child* ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Lung ; Male ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Atelectasis* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies

We report a case of colobronchial fistula, which is an extremely rare complication of esophagocologastrostomy. A 53-year-old man developed recurrent respiratory symptoms 30 months after colon interposition for corrosive esophageal and gastric strictures. Chest radiographs and computed tomography showed an aspiration pneumonia and total atelectasis of the left lower lobe(LLL). Esophagoscopy and barium esophagogram revealed fistula between the colon just below the esophagocolostomy and superior segment of the LLL. The colobronchial fistulectomy and left lower lobe lobectomy were performed. This rare complication should be considered in patients who develop recurrent productive cough whenever they drink or eat something after esophagocologastrostomy.
Barium ; Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cough ; Esophagoscopy ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Radiography, Thoracic