How can you tell the difference between atelectasis and pneumonia?
How can you tell the difference between atelectasis and pneumonia? With slowly developing, less extensive atelectasis, symptoms may be mild or absent. Pneumonia may cause cough, dyspnea, and pleuritic pain. Pleuritic pain may also be due to the disorder that caused atelectasis (eg, chest trauma, surgery). Signs are often absent. How does atelectasis look on an X-ray? Atelectasis is usually seen on chest x-rays as small volume linear shadows, usually peripherally or at the lung bases. The underlying cause (such as a lung tumor or pleural effusion) may also be visible. How can you tell the difference between atelectasis and...