ROENTGEN OBSERVATIONS IN MASSIVE ATELECTASIS AND POSTOPERATIVE PNEUMONIA

The roentgen appearance in collapse of the lung will depend on the extent of the collapse and, to some degree, on the etiologic factors. I shall confine my remarks as far as possible to a discussion of the observations in postoperative massive collapse.

The degree of density depends on the completeness of the collapse and the presence or absence of "drowning." The involved area is more dense than the surrounding lung; the heart and mediastinal contents are usually displaced toward the affected side; the diaphragm is high and, in the early stages, there is absence of respiratory excursion; the intercostal spaces are narrow, but the costophrenic sinus is usually not obliterated. When only one lobe is involved the dull area will correspond to the region of the involved lobe, although the area is usually smaller. The lower margin is likely to be sharply defined, the upper rather mottled and indistinct.