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Shrinking pleuritis with lobar atelectasis, a morphologic variant of "round atelectasis"
M Chung-Park1, J F Tomashefski, A M Cohen
1Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, OH 44109.
Human Pathology
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Shrinking pleuritis with lobar atelectasis is an uncommon variant of round atelectasis. This condition involves lobar collapse and extensive pleural fibrosis, expanding the known spectrum of pleural disease.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Round atelectasis, also known as shrinking pleuritis, is a localized pleural disease.
- It typically presents as focal pleural scarring with adjacent peripheral lung collapse.
Observation:
- This study describes an unusual variant: shrinking pleuritis with lobar atelectasis.
- Observed in three autopsy cases, this variant featured lobar atelectasis and multi-lobar visceral pleural fibrosis.
Findings:
- The condition included interlobar fibrous cords, pleural effusion, and persistent infiltrates on chest X-rays.
- Potential contributing factors identified were dust exposure, infection, uremia, and recurrent pleural effusions.
Implications:
- Findings support existing theories on round atelectasis pathogenesis (folding and fibrosing).
- Highlights the significant morphologic variability within this pleural condition.