What is the difference between pulmonary consolidation and atelectasis

summary

Pulmonary consolidation and atelectasis in the symptoms are very similar, make clear the difference, in order to better deal with. Let's take a look at the difference between pulmonary consolidation and atelectasis.

What is the difference between pulmonary consolidation and atelectasis

First of all: in auscultation, both of them have lower respiratory sounds, but different in speech tremor; in X-ray, both of them have large areas of increased density, but their lung volume does not shrink or slightly increase in consolidation; in atelectasis, their lung volume shrinks and their diaphragm rises

Secondly, both of them need mechanical ventilation and peep when they are serious, but there are still some differences in the specific treatment: 1) the effect of lung recruitment maneuver (RM) on atelectasis is relatively better; 2) bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has effect on atelectasis caused by sputum thrombus and blood clot, but it is poor for other conditions and lung consolidation;

Finally: atelectasis can be improved in a short time (several hours) by drainage fluid or pneumothorax, body position change, chest buckle, repeated intratracheal lavage and suction; while the effect of appeal measures on pulmonary consolidation is not obvious, and its recovery needs longer time (several days or longer) under effective treatment.

matters needing attention

In clinical practice, it is difficult to distinguish the two in many cases, and they are not completely separated, but may coexist. At this time, the treatment should be integrated. Therefore, in the case of similar diseases, we need to find out the situation and solve it.