Atelectasis is also known as closed lung or partial lung collapse since this disorder causes either total closure or partial collapse of the lobes of your lung. Tiny air sac of the lung becomes constricted (deflated) causing breathing problems. Certain diseases like lung tumors, severe asthma, and cystic fibrosis can lead to atelectasis. Deflated lobes of the lung can cause life threatening complications since it may lead to pneumonia or lung scarring. If it involves large portions of the lung it reduces considerable amount of oxygen supply to the body causing severe complications.
Symptoms :
Atelectasis can cause difficulty in breathing due to low level of oxygen in blood or shallow breathing. For some people it can cause persistent cough with fever. Often there may not be any obvious symptom if only small area of the lungs gets deflated. The above signs are present if large areas of lung are deflated.
Causes :
Two reasons can cause atelectasis. One is pressure from outside area can block the airway and the second is the air passage inside the lungs can get blocked. People who undergo any type of surgery (with anesthesia) can develop some form of atelectasis, since the given anesthesia can block or change the airflow inside the lungs. The alveoli (tiny sacs of the lungs) can accumulate extra gases and build up pressure inside leading to obstruction of airway.
Severe mucus can block the bronchial tubes causing atelectasis. This can happen during and after surgery since lungs cannot fully expand after surgery. You may not be able to cough out during surgery and even afterwards (at least for few days). This can lead to accumulation of mucus in the alveoli. Children may accidentally inhale small objects which may pass into their lungs causing deflation.