Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: Not So Rare After All?

The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists. SMJ // Article Editorial Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: Not So Rare After All? Abstract Pneumothorax or hemoptysis that recurs with the onset of menses (ie, catamenial) is strongly supportive of thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES), which arises as a consequence of ectopic endometrial tissue localized outside the pelvis. In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Arunthari et al1 report a 44-year-old woman who presented with recurrent right-sided pneumothoraces and a palpable umbilical nodule. After a detailed history was obtained, it was determined that her pneumothoraces, as well as cyclical recurrent symptoms of right shoulder and right upper chest discomfort, were temporally associated with the onset of menses. The catamenial nature of her presentation was suggestive of TES, and subsequent operative evaluation confirmed the presence of endometrial tissue localized to the abdominal surface of the right hemidiaphragm; the umbilical nodule was also found to be an endometrioma. She was treated with hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and after 12 months of follow-up has had no recurrence of her symptoms.This content is limited to qualifying members. Existing members, please login first If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options. Purchase only this article ($25) Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours. Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75) Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year. Purchase a membership plan (fees vary) Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.