Whole lung atelectasis

You need to understand the application of silhouette sign principles to appreciate the following.

Right lung atelectasis

• Missing densities

  • Right diaphragm

  • Ascending aorta

  • Right intermediate bronchus

  • Right pulmonary artery

  • Inferior vena cava

  • Superior venacava

  • Tracheo esophageal stripe

  • Pulmonary outflow tract

• Identifiable densities

  • Left diaphragm

  • Descending aorta

  • Left pulmonary artery

  • Posterior margin of heart

Left lung atelectasis

• Missing densities

  • Left diaphragm

  • Descending aorta

  • Left pulmonary artery

  • Posterior margin of heart

• Identifiable densities

  • Right diaphragm

  • Ascending aorta

  • Right intermediate bronchus

  • Right pulmonary artery

  • Inferior vena cava

  • Superior venacava

  • Tracheo esophageal stripe

  • Pulmonary outflow tract

• Increased density over spine

• Lower pre vertebral stripe

• Increased retro sternal air (herniation of right lung)