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Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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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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