Hi, hoping someone can help and tell me why scarring and atelectasis (uninflated region of lung) occurs ? After a recent scan seems it has been there 3 years but I don't recall having any serious infections, so curious why/how it happened.
I'm not a frequent poster (once before I think!) but would be so grateful to hear of other people's experience with this and does it ever heal or improve, or deteriorate?
Do hope I'm making sense, bit new to this Thanks.
It depends your situation lung damage severity etc. I had collapsed lung for over 6 weeks during period of pneumonia. Lung recovers. Really you should put this to your respiratory doc he will be able to advise in relation to your CT scan or xray.
I believe atelectasis also occurs after surgery but its:
" a condition in which one or more areas of your lungs collapse or don't inflate properly. If only a small area or a few small areas of the lungs are affected, you may have no signs or symptoms.
If a large area or several large areas of the lungs are affected, they may not be able to deliver enough oxygen to your blood. This can cause symptoms and complications. "
nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics...
With emphysema, when the alveoli sacks become very large they collapse, if large areas stay permanently collapsed and at the bottom part of the lung, lung volume reduction surgery may be offered.
" If only a small area or a few small areas of the lungs are affected, you may have no signs or symptoms. This is because the rest of the lung can bring in enough oxygen to make up for the collapsed part of the lung. " nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics...
BLF helpline will be able to advise you further:
blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...
PS I would say it is not uncommon.
CT Scan vs Spirometry
CT SCAN - more bad news
PET scan
COPD CT scan with contrast Vs fev1/fev
