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Catamenially recurring pneumothorax with partial liver herniation: a particular view
S Sanna1, M Taurchini, M Monteverde
1Thoracic Surgery Unit, G.B. Morgagni Hospital, Forlì, Italy. s.sanna@ausl.fo.it
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|July 16, 2011
Summary
Catamenial pneumothorax, linked to diaphragmatic hernias and endometriosis, can cause recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Surgical intervention successfully treated a patient with diaphragmatic perforations and hepatic hernia.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Gynecologic Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare condition characterized by recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax coinciding with menstruation.
- It is often associated with diaphragmatic defects and endometriosis.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old woman presented with recurrent right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax during her menstrual periods.
- CT scans showed normal lung parenchyma but revealed diaphragmatic nodes suggestive of endometriosis and a partial hepatic hernia.
- Thoracoscopy confirmed diaphragmatic perforations in the tendinous portion.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention included diaphragmatic plication, pleural abrasion, and talc pleurodesis.
- Histological examination of pleural biopsies did not reveal endometrial implants.
- The patient experienced a successful and uneventful recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the diagnostic and surgical management of catamenial pneumothorax with diaphragmatic abnormalities.
- It underscores the importance of considering endometriosis in the differential diagnosis of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax.
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery offers a viable treatment option for this complex condition.
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Clinical Manifestations:
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