A case of rounded atelectasis requiring differentiation from lung cancer

Abstract

A case of rounded atelectasis in a 77-year-old male is reported. Chest X-ray revealed a semiround tumor shadow in the right lower lung field. Chest X-ray tomography and chest CT revealed pleural thickening and comet tail sign. Rounded atelectasis was suspected most strongly, but lung cancer could not be denied by the images. At surgery, rounded atelectasis was diagnosed histopathologically. There was no change in the tumor shadow on chest X-ray about one year after surgery. 3D images obtained from helical scan CT and MRI were obtained, and the image characteristics are discussed.