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A very rare entity: catamenial pneumothorax.
A Serhan Poyraz1, Dalokay Kilic, Ahmet Hatipoglu
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Konya, Turkey. ahmetserhanpoyraz@hotmail.com
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals
|August 23, 2005
Summary
Catamenial pneumothorax, a rare condition in women, involves lung collapse linked to the menstrual cycle. This case highlights ectopic endometriosis as a cause, emphasizing surgical timing for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Gynecology
- Pathology
Background:
- Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare form of spontaneous pneumothorax exclusively affecting women of reproductive age.
- It is characterized by a high recurrence rate, with its exact cause and development remaining unclear.
- Endometriosis is a potential, yet enigmatic, cause of this condition.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old woman presented with recurrent right-sided catamenial pneumothorax, occurring four times.
- The recurrent episodes were definitively linked to ectopic endometriosis within the pleural layers.
- Histopathological confirmation supported the diagnosis of diaphragmatic and pleural endometriosis.
Findings:
- Ectopic endometriosis in the pleura was identified as the cause of recurrent catamenial pneumothorax in this patient.
- Surgical intervention during menstruation was found to provide optimal visualization of the pleurodiaphragmatic endometriosis.
- Histopathology confirmed the presence of endometrial tissue in the pleural lining.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering and diagnosing ectopic endometriosis in women with recurrent catamenial pneumothorax.
- Optimal surgical timing during menstruation may improve treatment outcomes for pleurodiaphragmatic endometriosis.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of catamenial pneumothorax is warranted to improve patient management.