Catamenial pneumothorax due to bilateral pulmonary endometriosis

Respir Care. 2012 Jul;57(7):1182-5. doi: 10.4187/respcare.01256. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

Abstract

Co-existence of catamenial pneumothorax and hemoptysis is rare. We present a case of catamenial pneumothorax due to bilateral pulmonary endometriosis in a 45-year-old woman. The patient presented with a 3-year history of intermittent productive cough with blood-tinged sputum, chronic anemia, loss of appetite, and general weakness associated with menstruation. Three years prior to this presentation the patient had undergone a sigmoidectomy as treatment for endometriosis of the sigmoid colon with bleeding. Chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple nodules in both lung parenchyma and recurrent pneumothorax. CT-guided biopsy revealed chronic inflammation of those pulmonary nodules, and laboratory studies disclosed elevated serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and CA 125. Thoracoscopic wedge resection of the pulmonary nodules was performed, and histopathological examination of the resected nodules revealed endometriosis. At one-year follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding or pneumothorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • CA-125 Antigen / blood
  • CA-19-9 Antigen / blood
  • Colonic Diseases / complications
  • Colonic Diseases / surgery
  • Endometriosis / complications*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax / etiology*
  • Pneumothorax / physiopathology
  • Thoracoscopy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • CA-125 Antigen
  • CA-19-9 Antigen

Supplementary concepts

  • Catamenial pneumothorax