{"paper_id":"595a5894-3260-4e95-bfad-ce8d595ae052","body_text":"2026 ASM / C-114\nShadows of the Cycle: A Case Report on Thoracic Endometriosis\nCongress:\n2026 ASM\nPoster Number:\nC-114\nType:\nEducational Exhibit\nKeywords:\nGenital / Reproductive system female, Thorax, CT-High Resolution, Digital radiography, PACS, Computer Applications-3D, Diagnostic procedure, Surgery, Education and training, Other\nAuthors:\nK. A. Carcel\nDOI:\n10.26044/ranzcr2026/C-114\nLearning objectives\nTo review the spectrum of imaging findings associated with thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES)\nTo highlight key radiologic features that raise suspicion for catamenial pneumothorax and TES in women with reproductive age\nTo emphasize the role of multimodality imaging in raising diagnostic suspicion and facilitating multidisciplinary management of TES\nBackground\nEndometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity.\nWhile predominantly pelvic, ectopic endometriosis may involve the diaphragm, pleura, or lung parenchyma, giving rise to a spectrum of thoracic manifestations.\nThese include catamenial pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemoptysis, and pulmonary nodules, collectively termed thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES).\nOwing to its variable clinical and imaging appearances, TES remains a diagnostic challenge and a recognized radiologic pitfall, particularly when the temporal association with the menstrual...\nImaging findings OR Procedure details\nPROFILEWe describe a rare case of a 46-year-old woman with a history of one spontaneosly delivered IVF pregnancy, who presented to the emergency room (ER) with back pain and dyspnea on exertion and alleviated by rest. She has an 18-year history of pelvic endometriosis and had endometrial implants removed laparoscopically.Despite surgery, she continued to experience cyclic pelvic pain. Notably, her menstrual cycles were accompanied by mild, intermittent dyspnea demonstrating a catamenial association, which she did not initially perceive as clinically significant. She was subsequently lost...\nConclusion\nThoracic endometriosis syndrome is a rare, recurrent and frequently underdiagnosed manifestation of endometriosis. This case highlights the critical role of imaging in recognizing thoracic endometriosis, underscores key radiologic clues that aid in diagnosis, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion in women with recurrent thoracic symptoms and a known history of endometriosis.\nReferences\n1.Endometriosis. ACOG. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis2. Ziedalski, T.M., et al. (2004). Thoracic Endometriosis: A Case Report & LiteratureReview, 1513-1514, doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2003.12.0163. Pankratjevaite L, Samiatina-Morkuniene D. A case report of thoracic endometriosis - Arare cause of haemothorax. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2017;33:139-142. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.02.052. Epub 2017 Mar 4. PMID: 28315819; PMCID: PMC5358902.4. Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, Vu M, Vang N, Nezhat A, Nezhat C. ThoracicEndometriosis Syndrome: A Review of Diagnosis and Management. JSLS. 2019 Jul-Sep;23(3):e2019.00029. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029. PMID: 31427853; PMCID:PMC6684338.5. Kyejo, W., et al. (2022), Shortness of...","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}