Atelectasis means part of the lung is not expanding fully, which can happen after surgery, blockage, shallow breathing, or other chest problems.
Some people have no symptoms, but others may have shortness of breath, chest discomfort, cough, or low oxygen levels, especially if a larger part of the lung is affected.
Imaging helps show which part of the lung is not opening properly and whether the cause may be mucus, infection, shallow breathing, or a blockage in the airway.
Chest X-ray and CT can help show which part of the lung is affected and whether there is an underlying cause such as mucus plugging or a mass.
Treatment depends on the cause and may involve breathing exercises, physiotherapy, suctioning, or further evaluation of a blockage.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.