[Rounded atelectasis: a follow up of 10 years by CT].
We report the case of a 69-year-old man who presented with a rounded atelectasis (RA). During a 10-year follow-up by Computed Tomography (CT), the lobe showed a progressive shrinkage, and a moderate increase in size of the lesion led to a percutaneous biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis. RA is an unusual form of lung consolidation. The major cause of RA is asbestosis. RA is usually asymptomatic and may simulate a pulmonary neoplasm on chest Xray. The diagnosis is made by CT, demonstrating the pathognomonic "comet tail sign". No treatment is required.
Bruyère
P J
PJ
Service de Radiologie, CHU Sart Tilman.
Bartsch
P
P
Ghaye
B
B
D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed