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Endometriosis associated with hemothorax
Hung-Tsung Lee1, Hong-Chung Wang, Ia-Tang Huang
1Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
|February 2, 2006
Summary
Endometriosis rarely causes bloody pleural effusion. This case highlights diaphragmatic pores as a pathway for pelvic endometriosis to cause recurrent hemothorax, successfully treated with danazol.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Bloody pleural effusion is uncommon and can mimic serious conditions like malignancy or tuberculosis.
- Endometriosis is a condition where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, rarely affecting the pleura.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old woman presented with right-sided hemothorax, shoulder pain, and shortness of breath.
- Thoracoscopy revealed pores in the diaphragm with blood clots; biopsies showed chronic pleuritis without malignancy.
- Pelvic endometriosis was diagnosed via imaging and biopsy, with symptoms correlating to menstruation.
Findings:
- Recurrent bloody pleural effusion occurred despite hysterectomy, suggesting a persistent link to endometriosis.
- Treatment with danazol resolved the effusion, indicating its efficacy in managing endometriosis-associated pleural disease.
Implications:
- This case suggests diaphragmatic pores can facilitate endometriosis-related pleural effusion.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, including hormonal therapy, are crucial for managing this rare condition.