title: CT appearances of rounded atelectasis.
abstract: Five patients examined with CT had lesions fulfilling criteria for a diagnosis of rounded atelectasis (RA) and these were managed without biopsy. In three patients unsuspected contralateral lesions were identified as RA variants, and one of these was biopsied at thoracotomy and proved to be benign. All patients remain well at 6-22 months follow-up. We concur with recent reports that there is a spectrum of CT appearances of RA and that even atypical lesions seldom need further investigation. We also suggest that the appearances of some atypical lesions add support for the fibrosing theory of pathogenesis of RA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Canberra Hospital, Canberra ACT.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed