Parapneumonic atelectasis

Parapneumonic atelectasis is a collapse of lung tissue that develops near the source of lung inflammation (pneumonia).

With pneumonia, as a result of inflammation and swelling of the bronchial mucosa, their lumen narrows. This leads to impaired ventilation and atelectasis of the area of ​​the lung located distal (below) the site of bronchial narrowing.

Factors contributing to the development of parapneumonic atelectasis include: obstruction of the bronchus with pus, viscous sputum, valve obstruction mechanism due to mucosal edema.

Atelectasis is manifested by shortness of breath, cyanosis, increased pain in the chest on the affected side. On auscultation, weakening of breathing is heard.

To treat atelectasis, bronchodilators, expectorants, postural drainage, and inhalation of humidified oxygen are used. Antibacterial therapy for pneumonia is carried out. If conservative treatment is ineffective, bronchoscopy with sanitation of the tracheobronchial tree may be required.

From English, the phrase “para-pneumonic atelectasis” is translated as “Pneumonic atelectosis” - the development of specific anatomical changes in the area of ​​the inflammatory process and the spread of the pathological process from the bronchi to neighboring organs.

Pneumonia is the general name for all acute inflammatory processes in the lung tissue, occurring with a predominance of local symptoms, mainly cough and shortness of breath. This is the most common pneumonia. Pneumonia is caused by various microorganisms. Para-pneumonic atelectosis is a pathological process in the lungs, in which focal inflammation of the lungs is accompanied by collapse of the upper lobes and other changes in the pulmonary pattern of an inflammatory nature, as a result of which these areas of the lungs lose their function and cease to inhale and exhale. Cavities filled with exudate—sputum—form in the lungs. The greater the thickness of the alveolar wall, the less other parts of the lungs are affected. The development of parapneumonic atelectos ends only with complete resorption of the necrotic focus and restoration of the alveoli. If pneumonia affects a third of the parenchyma, then this disease is called lobular atelectoma. Typically, the severity of clinical manifestations increases over several weeks, and the outcome depends on the degree of damage to the pulmonary parenchyma and the nature of the course of pneumonia. Local organ damage, complications and exacerbations are often observed. Para-pneumatic atelector has a tendency to recur, which is caused by an incompletely eliminated inflammatory process in the lung.