What is a key feature of atelectasis on imaging?

Atelectasis, which refers to the partial or complete collapse of a lung or lobe, typically shows distinct characteristics on imaging studies. The presence of patchy or plate-like infiltrates is a classic imaging finding associated with atelectasis. These infiltrates indicate areas of loss of volume in the lungs, which is characteristic of this condition. When viewed on a chest X-ray, these infiltrative patterns can appear as dense opacities that correlate with the areas of collapsed lung tissue.

In contrast, a honeycomb pattern is often associated with interstitial lung diseases rather than atelectasis. Cavity formation suggests the presence of conditions such as lung abscesses or specific infections, which differ from the collapsed lung presentation of atelectasis. Blunting of the costophrenic angle is generally associated with pleural effusion. While effusions may coexist with atelectasis, they are not defining features of atelectasis itself. Hence, identifying patchy or plate-like infiltrates on imaging is crucial in the diagnosis and understanding of atelectasis.