Rounded atelectasis in the apical region of the lung

Abstract

A 55-year-old woman presented with a nodule in the apical region of the right lung, with computed tomography findings suggesting a neoplasm. She had never been exposed to asbestos. She underwent surgical resection, which revealed rounded atelectasis. Non-asbestos-related rounded atelectasis in the upper lobes is rare, especially in the apical region, so it was difficult to avoid surgery even if the biopsy had shown no malignant features.