Catamenial pneumothorax caused by thoracic endometriosis

Radiol Case Rep. 2017 Oct 13;13(1):81-85. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2017.09.003. eCollection 2018 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Thoracic endometriosis syndrome is a rare form of extrapelvic endometriosis characterized by the presence of functioning endometrial tissue in pleura, lung parenchyma, and airways, associated with a high rate of infertility.

Case report: We have reported a case of successful management and treatment of thoracic endometriosis syndrome that occurred in a 37-year-old female patient. She underwent thoracoscopic resection of the lesion. During follow-up, we revealed the recurrence of a previously surgically treated thoracic endometriosis. She was initially treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist; subsequently this was replaced by a prophylactic treatment with Dienogest.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of thoracic endometriosis is challenging. The first line of treatment is medical, whereas the surgical treatment is performed secondly. Moreover, surgical treatment can lead to a significant rate of recurrence, often reduced by a coadjutant medical treatment.

Keywords: Endometriosis; Hemothorax; Pneumothorax; Thoracic endometriosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports