Korean J Radiol.  2000 Mar;1(1):33-37. 10.3348/kjr.2000.1.1.33.

Migrating Lobar Atelectasis of the Right Lung: Radiologic Findings in Six Patients

• Kim TS
• Lee KS
• Hwang JH
• Choo IW
• Lim JH

• KMID: 1777293
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2000.1.1.33

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Lung, collapse; Lung, diseases; Lung, radiography

MeSH Terms

Amyloidosis/radiography
Atelectasis/*radiography
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/radiography
Female
Human
Lung Diseases/radiography
Male
Middle Age
Posture
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/radiography