Computed Tomography of Lobar Collapse

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Abstract
Computed tomographic appearance of [human lobar] collapse without endobronchial obstruction is reviewed. These 57 cases were classified by the etiology of collapse. The largest group consisted of 29 patients with passive atelectasis, i.e., collapse secondary to fluid and/or air in the pleural space. Of 29, 23 were secondary to malignant pleural disease. Computed tomography accurately predicted a malignant etiology in 22 of 23 cases. The 2nd largest group of patients had lobar collapse secondary to cicatrization from chronic inflammation. In all cases the underlying etiology was tuberculosis. Radiation caused adhesive atelectasis in 6 patients secondary to a lack of production of surfactant. In each case a sharp line of demarcation could be defined between normal and abnormal collapsed pulmonary parenchyma. Three cases of unchecked tumor growth caused a peripheral form of collapse (replacement atelectasis). This form of collapse was characterized by an absence of endobronchial obstruction and extensive tumor not delineated by the normal boundaries of the pulmonary lobes.

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