Round Atelectasis: A Peculiar Pseudotumor Seen on Echocardiogram

Division

South Atlantic

Hospital

Grand Strand Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

12-23-2021

Keywords

asbestosis, round atelecatasis, blesovsky’s syndrome, atelectatic pseudotumor, folded lung, pleuroma, pseudotumor, pleural effusion, recurrent pleural effusions, chronic pleural effusions

Disciplines

Cardiology | Internal Medicine | Radiology | Respiratory Tract Diseases

Abstract

Round atelectasis (RA) is a rare disorder most commonly occurring in the presence of chronic pleural effusions due to the formation of adhesions and resultant pulmonary collapse. The most common culprit to this disease is asbestosis, but other causes of pleural effusions such as congestive heart failure and pneumonia are reported in the literature. RA can occasionally mimic pulmonary cancers and should be identified to prevent the associated morbidity of tumor workup. We present a case of RA seen on echocardiogram, and then later on computed tomography mimicking a pleural tumor in a 58-year-old female with preexisting heart failure and recurrent pleural effusions. Consultation with radiology and recognition of RA prevented the unnecessary potential morbidity and mortality of further workup.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS