How is atelectasis diagnosed?
Atelectasis is diagnosed by a person’s symptoms, the physical examination findings, and the setting in which the symptoms occurred. A chest x-ray that shows the airless area confirms the diagnosis, but the x-ray may appear normal even when the person is feeling breathless. If an obstruction of the airways is suspected, a computed tomography scan (CT) or bronchoscopy may be performed to locate the cause of the blockage.
