Thoracic endometriosis syndrome
Areti Augoulea1, Irene Lambrinoudaki, George Christodoulakos
12nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity and is usually confined to the pelvis. Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of functioning endometrial tissue in the pleura, the lung parenchyma and the airways. TES may present with hemoptysis, due to the shedding of endometrial tissue in the bronchial tree, or spontaneous pneumothorax or hemothorax if the endometrial tissue is localized peripherally. Patients are of reproductive age, often nulliparous, with long-standing symptoms. The crucial issue for establishing the diagnosis is the cyclicity of the symptoms which occur along with the menstrual cycle. TES is virtually a diagnosis of exclusion, established on clinical grounds, since neither CT nor endoscopy are specific for TES. Treatment consists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, aiming to suppress the hypophyseal-gonadal axis, so as to ensure a regression of the endometrial implants. If medical treatment fails, surgical resection of the endometriomas is suggested, although relapse rate may be high.
Related Concept Videos
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Thoracic Aorta
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
