Chest ImagingPlate atelectasis
a form of peripheral lung collapse that is not secondary to
bronchial obstruction. Known as Fleischner lines, the
atelectasis takes the form of a
disk that may cross a whole lobe (discoid atelectasis). Plate atelectasis is due to hypoventilation leading to alveolar collapse. It can be seen in a large variety of conditions including painful breathing, general anaesthesia,
pulmonary embolism,
ascites and
diaphragmatic paralysis. Plate atelectasis may be single or multiple. It usually abuts the
pleura and is perpendicular to the
pleural surface without any orientation toward the hilus. Radiologically, plate atelectasis appears as a few mm thick horizontal or obliquely orientated linear band mainly located in the lung bases (
Fig.1).
PG
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PA chest radiograph showing a plate atelectasis in the right lung base occurring after general anaesthesia for abdominal surgery. The hemidiaphragms are elevated. Atelectasis is seen as a long thick horizontal line within the right lower lobe (arrows).
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Plate atelectasis, Fig.1 | |