India
A 51-year-old female asked:
Do atelectasis & pneumonia look similar on non contrast chest ct scan?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Gaboranswered
Diagnostic Radiology 34 years experience
Sometimes there: May be some overlap in the CT appearance of pneumonia and atelectasis, other times there are signs that help tell the difference. Keep in mind that elements of both could be present simultaneously.
453 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Gerald Mandellanswered
Nuclear Medicine 53 years experience
Can be similar: On non contrast CT scan it is difficult to differentiate in some cases atelectasis from pneumonia. With contrast administration usually atelectasis is more contrasted (enhanced) than most pneumonias.
452 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 7, 2017
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