new parenchymal infiltrate in left lower lobe posterior segment comparison with next previous chest examination of <unk>. considering that the patient is postoperative day <num> following laminectomy operation, the newly described density is indicative of an atelectasis. combination of atelectasis and fever speaks in favor of overlying infection and treatment is recommended with radiographic followup. referring physician, <unk>, was paged at <time> p.m. as no response was achieved, telephone call to the intensive care unit <unk> was made and the responsible nurse, <unk>, was contacted. she received the message that a new pulmonary infiltrate was noted which should be treated.