title: [Two cases of chronic atelectasis that improved through use of nasal continuous positive pressure].
abstract: We observed improvements in two cases of chronic atelectasis through use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Case 1 suffered from middle lobe syndrome accompanied by chronic atelectasis resistant to medical treatment. Case 2 suffered from respiratory failure caused by chronic atelectasis and airway infection complications thereof following a total pneumonectomy and post-pneumonectomy syndrome. The patient was placed on artificial ventilation, and atelectasis was improved by maintaining PEEP and airflow to the atelectatic region. Following extubation we obtained good pneumatization using nCPAP. nCPAP has been reported as effective not only in cases of sleep apnea, but also for cardiogenic pulmonary edema and post-operative atelectasis; we believe it holds great promise for chronic atelectasis as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respirology, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital.
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Katsuki
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Enokibori
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fujimura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008878:Middle Lobe Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy