Aetiology
A collapsed lung may occur as a result of:
- absorption collapse: due to a bronchial obstruction
- intraluminal, for example mucus, pus, clot, foreign body
- mural, for example lung cancer
- extramural, for example peribronchial lymphadenopathy, aortic aneurysm
- compression, for example lung cancer, pleural effusion, pneumothorax
- phrenic nerve palsy
Note that in an absorption collapse the mediastinum shifts to the affected side. In a collapse due to fluid or air in the pleural space then the mediastinum may shift to the opposite side.
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