Lung collapse (atelectasis) on X‑ray: 7 real cases
Real, openly licensed radiographs showing lung collapse (atelectasis). Study what to look for, then open each case and read it yourself before revealing the answer.
What to look for
- Increased density of the affected lung or lobe.
- Signs of volume loss: displaced fissures, raised hemidiaphragm, crowding of vessels or ribs.
- Shift of the trachea, mediastinum or hilum TOWARDS the affected side.
- Silhouetting of the adjacent heart border or hemidiaphragm, depending on the lobe.
Cases
Case #1753377Chest · Intermediate
Case #4281007Chest · Intermediate
Case #17315109Chest · Intermediate
Case #6597370Chest · Intermediate
Case #136407693Chest · Intermediate
Case #12392748Chest · Intermediate
Case #47020168Chest · IntermediateOther chest diagnoses
- Asbestos-related pleural disease
- COVID-19 pneumonia
- Cardiomegaly
- Cervical rib
- Diaphragmatic hernia
- Emphysema / COPD (hyperinflation)
- Hiatus hernia
- Lung abscess
- Lung cancer (mass)
- Normal chest radiograph
- Pectus excavatum
- Pericardial effusion
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
- Pneumomediastinum
- Pneumonia (consolidation)
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary oedema (heart failure)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Silicosis / pneumoconiosis
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Diagnoses come from each image's documented source. Credits and licences are shown on each case and on the image credits page.