Churg–Strauss syndrome diagnosed after lobar atelectasis: Case report

A 24-year-old women presented with unresolved right upper lobe consolidation. Her medical history was notable for asthma, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident, and nasal polyposis. Thoracic computed tomography scan revealed total atelectasis in the right upper and middle lobes, and consolidation in the atelectatic regions. A bronchial mucosal biopsy revealed diffuse eosinophilic infiltrates in the interstitium. Clinical presentation and pathological results of bronchoscopy were consistent with Churg–Strauss syndrome. In Churg–Strauss syndrome, radiologic pulmonary manifestations vary and atelectasis is very rare. In this case, mechanism of the lobar atelectasis might be explained by eosinophilic infiltration of airway walls resulting in airway narrowing.