HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Does Patchy Infiltrate At Left Lung Consistent With Atelectasis Mean?

My husband 65 y.o. had a chest x-ray which showed a small area of patchy infiltrate seen at the left lung base consistent with atelectasis or possibly pneumonia. The impression was small left basilar infiltrate. Can you explain what atelectasis means?? Thanks.
Wed, 10 Jun 2015
Report Abuse
Radiologist 's  Response
Hello, thanks for posting your query on HCM.
Atelectasis is used to describe an area of partial collapse or incomplete expansion of part of the lung.There is reduced or loss of air-exchange in that area.
In your husbands case, there is a lung infiltrate- possibly due to pneumonia. This means there is plugging of the small airways by the infection (pus/mucus) resulting in the atelectasis - no air can go to the lung parenchyma.

Do not worry, if the area involved is small, it will resolve once he is given medication for the infection. A follow-up Xray maybe done to assess disease progression or resolution.
Hope I have answered your question. Do write in if you have any doubts.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Does Patchy Infiltrate At Left Lung Consistent With Atelectasis Mean?

Hello, thanks for posting your query on HCM. Atelectasis is used to describe an area of partial collapse or incomplete expansion of part of the lung.There is reduced or loss of air-exchange in that area. In your husbands case, there is a lung infiltrate- possibly due to pneumonia. This means there is plugging of the small airways by the infection (pus/mucus) resulting in the atelectasis - no air can go to the lung parenchyma. Do not worry, if the area involved is small, it will resolve once he is given medication for the infection. A follow-up Xray maybe done to assess disease progression or resolution. Hope I have answered your question. Do write in if you have any doubts. Take care.