Chest Radiology > Pathology > Atelectasis > Mucous Plug


Mucous Plug

Mucous plugging is a common cause of atelectasis, particularly in hospitalized patients.  It is an opportunity for the chest X-ray to change therapy.  If it is recognized that the patient has developed lobar atelectasis, bronchoscopy can be done to remove the mucous plug and the atelectasis. 

 

Patient with right lung atelectasis
Patient with right lung atelectasis

After bronchoscopy and removal of mucous plug
After bronchoscopy and removal of mucous plug