Rounded atelectasis

Rounded atelectasis, abbreviated RA, is a benign pathology of the lung that may be mistaken for lung cancer.

General

• Benign clinical diagnosis.
• May be biopsied to exclude malignancy.
• Type of lung collapse often associated with asbestos exposure.

Clinical (radiologic findings):

• Pleural thickening.
• Mass lesion with "comet tail" (curvilinear opacification of bronchi and vessels).

Microscopic

Features:

• Pleural fibrosis.
• No features of malignancy.

Note:

• Findings on core biopsy are non-specific.

DDx:

• Pleural plaque.

Sign out

Lung Lesion, Right Lower Lobe, Core Biopsy:
- Benign fibrous tissue and skeletal muscle.
- NEGATIVE for lung parenchyma. 
- NEGATIVE for evidence of malignancy.

Comment:
Clinical correlation is suggested.

See also

• Lung tumours.
• Pneumothorax.