"Mild dependent atelectasis" (partially collapsed lung) -- anyone else had this as a finding on a CT?

[lpas]

If so, did it cause you any problems or did you do anything to try to resolve it? Were you told anything about the cause?

I just noticed that this is on my chest CT report from mid-October. Two doctors (my onc and the urologist who ordered the CT) have seen the report and neither of them commented on it at all. I see that surgery can be a precipitating factor but there was no mention of it on my CT report from this summer, and my most recent surgery (port placement) was all the way back in February.

[plastikos]

Atelectasis means there are portions of the lung that are collapsed. This is common after surgery when abdominal incisions and pain prevent the patient from breathing in deeply. Usually doesnt have any major symptoms except fever in the immediate postop period. No real treatment for it except deep breathing exercises. It should resolve on its own eventually as the patient becomes more active.

[jhocno197]

Hubs has had it for almost a year now, and no one (but me) has been concerned.

[kathybrj]

DH had the same findings on his CT in September. No mention of it from his onc. I flipped out a little but when I contacted the dr. she said it's nothing to be worried about.

[janderson]

I get it all of the time. Anesthesia causes a lot of it since you are breathing at such a slow shallow rate. I have had anesthesia at least 10 to 15 times.

[dianetavegia]

I never saw my previous CT scans (only 2 this year) but my onc had mentioned to me that my CT showed that I was not fully inflating my lungs, which is common when you have scar tissue or discomfort after liver resection, etc. My (new) gastro mentioned it the first time we met when he prodded my abdomen. He happens to be a liver surgeon and gastro with zero personality. He asked me if it hurt when I took a deep breath and scared me to death! Got really ugly when I pushed for a 'why did you ask that'. He finally said that he felt scar tissue and if it attaches the area to the lung, it can cause you to not take deep breaths to avoid that stitch in the side sensation. I guess I never was a deep breather because I'd not noticed that.

[Nik Colon]

They gave me the breathing exercise thing for after surgery to help.

[j'swife]

Just adding one more example to the list: DH has had the same finding since his liver resection 2 yrs ago. He only notices it when the doctor is reading him the latest radiology report.

[lauragb]

I am three years past my last surgery and it was on my scans in the spring. I don't notice anything either.