Faces of Atelectasis – Linear or Discoid or Plate-Like

Discoid

CT Linear Atelectasis 3 Months Later
CT scan in the coronal plane 3 months later shows significant improvement of the atelectasis involving a basal segment of the left lower lobe associated with persistent elevation of the left hemidiaphragm indicating volume loss. The atelectasis now has a discoid, linear, or plate-like appearance
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 276Lu 136238
aka discoid atelectasis aka plate-like atelectasis

Linear Atelectasis
66 year old male with linear (discoid) atelectasis in the left lower lobe on CT
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net

Linear Atelectasis
60 year old male with linear (discoid) atelectasis in the middle lobe and the left upper lobe on CT. Note moderate sized bilateral pleural effusion. Minor compressive atelectasis caused by the left effusion.
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net

Links and References

Fleischner Society

atelectasis

Pathophysiology.—Atelectasis is reduced inflation of all or part of the lung (^,20). One of the commonest mechanisms is resorption of air distal to airway obstruction (eg, an endobronchial neoplasm) (^,21). The synonym collapse is often used interchangeably with atelectasis, particularly when it is severe or accompanied by obvious increase in lung opacity.

Radiographs and CT scans.—Reduced volume is seen, accompanied by increased opacity (chest radiograph) or attenuation (CT scan) in the affected part of the lung (^,Fig 8). Atelectasis is often associated with abnormal displacement of fissures, bronchi, vessels, diaphragm, heart, or mediastinum (^,22). The distribution can be lobar, segmental, or subsegmental. Atelectasis is often qualified by descriptors such as linear, discoid, or platelike. (See also linear atelectasis, rounded atelectasis.)