BACKGROUND
Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is a
spontaneous pneumothorax commonly associated with menstrual periods. Endometrial tissues most commonly involve the pelvic region. However, after the pelvis, the lungs are most frequently involved. Thoracic
endometriosis should always be suspected in young women presenting with CP. CASE REPORT A 30-year-old woman with history of
endometriosis presented with chief complaint of umbilical
pain. A computerized tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed, which showed an incidental finding of a large right-sided
pneumothorax. Chest X-ray imaging showed 50%
pneumothorax. A right-sided
chest tube was placed, and after the procedure, a chest X-ray image showed expansion of the right lung. The patient was readmitted for elective resection of an umbilical mass and was again incidentally found to have a recurrent
pneumothorax on the right side. She underwent videothoracoscopic
pleurodesis with pathology, establishing the diagnosis of
catamenial pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS Thoracic
endometriosis resulting in
catamenial pneumothorax should be suspected in young women of child-bearing age. Treatment options still under debate include endoscopic resection and videothoracoscopic
pleurodesis followed by gonadotrophin-releasing
hormone (
GnRH)
therapy to reduce the rate of postoperative recurrence.