Catamenial pneumothorax

Glen A. Lillington
In: JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association · 1972 · vol. 219(10) , pp. 1328–1332 · doi:10.1001/jama.219.10.1328 · W4238783507
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 15 in-corpus citations
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This case series compares five patients with catamenial pneumothorax to 15 prior reports, exploring potential causes like intrathoracic endometriosis and pelvic disease, with hormonal suppression offering temporary relief.

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Abstract

Five cases of a bizarre syndrome of recurrent right-sided pneumothorax occurring in women only at the time of menstrual flow are compared with 15 previously reported cases. Intrathoracic endometrial implants have been demonstrated in some instances, and pelvic endometriosis probably occurs in most cases even if there is no clinical evidence of pelvic disease. Administration of ovulation-suppressing hormones usually prevents the development of catamenial pneumothoraces, but the attacks recur when the drugs are discontinued. The pathogenesis of the pneumothorax is not understood. Leakage of air from the lung due to subpleural endometrial implants seems to be the most plausible explanation. Another theory suggests that air enters the peritoneum through the genital tract during menstruation and then passes through congenital perforations in the right hemidiaphragm to result in a pneumothorax.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK