Total Unilateral Lung Atelectasis in a Child with Asthma and Its Rapid Resolution with Medical Management without Any Invasive Intervention: A Case Report

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic lung condition of childhood affecting approximately 6 million children in the United States. Right middle lobe syndrome or atelectasis is common in children with asthma though whole unilateral lung collapse is rare; only case series are reported. Bronchoscopy is usually required in addition to medical management of asthma and treatment of infection. We present a case of unilateral lung atelectasis in a young child which resolved with intense medical management without any endoscopy.