Gennaio 2005 - Volume XXIV - numero 1
Problemi non correnti
Unità di Broncopneumologia, Fisiopatologia Respiratoria Pediatrica, Ospedale SS. Annunziata, Napoli
Key words: Middle lobe, Atelectasis
Due to its peculiar anatomical structure, the middle lobe is at high risk for atelectasis, which can be partial or total, with or without parenchymal infiltration. Particularly in cases of partial or “pure” atelectasis, antero-posterior X-ray may not be sufficiently informative and a latero- lateral X-ray may be necessary to show the typical triangular opacity. Middle lobe atelectasis can be transitory, recurrent or persistent, and is caused by mechanical (foreign body), inflammatory (hilar adenopathy, bronchiectasis, broncopneumonia) or functional (asthma) obstruction. The “middle lobe syndrome” is now rare due to the sharp decline of tuberculosis and the decreased incidence and severity of suppurative lung disease, but still needs to be known and promptly recognised.
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