what is chronic atelectasis
Atelectasis: Collapse of lung tissue affecting part or all of one lung. Atelectasis may be an acute or chronic condition. In acute atelectasis, the lung has recently collapsed and is primarily notable only for airlessness.In chronic atelectasis, the affected area is often characterized by a complex mixture of airlessness, infection, widening of the bronchi, destruction and scarring.telectasis may be an acute or chronic condition. In acute atelectasis, the lung has recently collapsed and is primarily notable only for airlessness. In chronic atelectasis, the affected area is often characterized by a complex mixture of airlessness, infection, widening of the bronchi, destruction and scarring.