Massive asthmatic atelectasis.

Atelectasis as a complication of bronchial asthma occurs more commonly than is diagnosed or suspected. It is usually of the lobular type and patchy in distribution. This type was first described by Huber and Koesler in 1920.’ Many authors have suggested that status asthmaticus and even death occurring during an attack of asthma are related to lobular atelectasis.2’ Massive atelectasis, on the other hand, is much less common than the lobular type. Since Clarke4 first described massive asthmatic atelectasis in 1930, there have been six reports published5 6, 7. 5, 9 10 describing a total of 15 cases. The purpose of this communication is to present two more cases and to review the clinical aspects of this uncommon complication of a common disease.