Round atelectasis in an elderly man: the role of thoracotomy.
In summary, a case of round atelectasis appearing subsequent to a pleural effusion in an elderly man 6 months after open heart surgery is reported. Although plain roentgenograms and linear and computerized tomography could help the physician make the diagnosis with confidence, a needle biopsy of the lesion at the very least or exploratory thoracotomy may sometimes still be justified for the properly selected patient.
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011677:Punctures; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray