Catamenial pneumothorax – a review of the literature

Catamenial pneumothorax (i.e., pneumothorax occurring during the perimenstrual period) is a condition that has been recognized for several decades. Differences in its definition stem from the various definitions of the “perimenstrual period”, which encompasses the period of 72 hours before and after menstrual bleeding. Marshall et al . have proposed to extend this period to 96 hours [ 1 – 9 ]. From 3% to 6% of spontaneous pneumothorax cases meet the definition of catamenial pneumothorax, constituting an indication for surgical treatment in 1/3 of the affected women. The mean age of onset is 32-35 years [ 1 – 3 , 8 – 12 ]. The condition may develop as late as at 39 years of age [ 6 , 13 ]. Catamenial pneumothorax is most often (85-95%) unilateral, occurring on the right side of the chest, but it may also occur on the left side or bilaterally [ 9 – 15 ]. The etiopathogenesis of catamenial pneumothorax is explained by the following theories: physiological, migrational, microembolic-metastatic, and the diaphragmatic theory of air “passage” ( Table I ). Theories for the development of thoracic foci of endometriosis There are no pathognomonic anatomopathological changes for this nosological entity, and the diagnosis is established based on clinical features. Catamenial pneumothorax is associated with the following findings: single or multiple fenestrations in the tendinous part of the diaphragm; red/brown spots or nodules located on the diaphragmatic or visceral pleura. Histopathological analysis of these nodules (spots) reveals glandular cells, endometrial stroma, and macrophages filled with hemosiderin, whereas immunohistochemical testing may demonstrate the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors [ 2 – 5 , 12 , 13 , 15 – 18 ]. These findings are observed if pneumothorax is accompanied by endometriosis, especially within the pelvis, as occurs in 30-51% of cases. Treatment for catamenial pneumothorax involves hormonal therapy and surgical treatment (wedge lung resection, pleurectomy, chemical or mechanical pleurodesis, and diaphragm reconstruction – direct or using synthetic meshes).

Catamenial pneumothorax should be defined as recurrent appearance of air in the pleural cavity in reproductive-age women who do not suffer from other lung diseases. The sine qua non criterion for the diagnosis of catamenial pneumothorax is its appearance within 72 hours before or after the start of monthly bleeding. The additional criteria include: characteristic pleural lesions, right-sided location of the pneumothorax, and concomitant endometriosis. The symptoms of catamenial pneumothorax are typical of spontaneous pneumothorax, but the condition may also be asymptomatic. The temporal correlation between menstruation and catamenial pneumothorax has not been unequivocally determined [ 17 ]. Medical literature attempts to specify the temporal relationship between catamenial pneumothorax and menstruation using expressions such as pneumothorax correlated with [ 22 ], associated with [ 16 ], synchronized with [ 23 ], during [ 6 , 14 ], preceding [ 8 ], or close to [ 24 ] the menstrual period. The broadest definitions of catamenial pneumothorax describe it as pneumothorax occurring from 7 days before the start of monthly bleeding to 7 days after its completion. A clear name should be selected for the Polish language in order to unambiguously indicate the relationship between pneumothorax and menstrual bleeding, e.g. odma miesięczna (“monthly pneumothorax”).

In 1938, Schwarz presented a hypothesis concerning the concomitance of hemoptysis and menstruation in women [ 18 ]. In 1953, Barnes described concurrent endometriosis and pleural hematomas [ 19 ], but the coexistence of these conditions was not unequivocally confirmed. Recurrent pneumothorax concomitant with menses was described by Maurer et al . in 1958 [ 20 ]. The first definition of catamenial pneumothorax comes from 1972 and is credited to Lillington et al . [ 21 ].

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the access of choice in the treatment of pneumothorax. Thoracotomy is indicated almost exclusively in cases of recurrence after a previous procedure. The use of video-assisted mini-thoracotomy has been suggested if the procedure involves extensive lesions within the diaphragm [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 9 , 14 , 22 , 23 ]. Most authors are in agreement in their recommendations to perform bullectomy, pleurectomy, or pleurodesis. The main subject of contention is the extent of the intervention within the diaphragm, especially if no pathology is found in this area. It should be stressed that any woman in reproductive age who is operated on due to pneumothorax should undergo a detailed pulmonary examination. As in the case of laparoscopy performed within the lesser pelvis, all suspected endometriotic foci must be removed from the pleural cavity and sent for histopathological testing. The extent of the procedure resembles that of metastasectomy performed due to oncological indications. In the case of catamenial pneumothorax associated with thoracic endometriosis, Joseph et al . suggest that surgery is more effective than hormonal pharmacotherapy because of the lower rates of long-term recurrence: during a follow-up of 1 year, recurrence occurred in 30% of the patients treated with surgery and 60% of the patients receiving pharmacological treatment [ 12 ]. The largest review of treatment results was published by Korom et al . Out of the 229 catamenial pneumothorax patients whose cases were published in the literature, the authors selected 194 individuals (patients with adequate information), of whom 79% were treated with surgery. In 82% of the patients, pleurodesis was performed with or without diaphragm repair, or with pulmonary wedge resection. Pulmonary wedge resection alone constituted 20% of the performed procedures; surgical repair of diaphragmatic defects was necessary in 39% of patients [ 16 ]. According to Korom et al ., the mean time until recurrence is 24 months after diaphragm removal with or without pleurodesis and 61 months after pleurodesis [ 16 ]. These results appear not to be associated with the extent of the procedure, but rather with the significant influence of the presence of diaphragmatic defects on the increased rate of recurrence. In 2005, Marshall et al . suggested that, in the case of catamenial pneumothorax accompanied by radiologically visualized lesions, extensive surgery is recommended, consisting in diaphragmatic resection, bullectomy, pleurodesis, or pleurectomy [ 8 ]. Contrary to traditional surgical recommendations, Bagan et al . proposed to perform surgical procedures during menstruation in order to avoid overlooking small and hidden lesions in the pleurae and the diaphragm. The aim of performing the procedure during this period is to provide precise visualization of the endometrial lesions and to cover the diaphragm with a polyglactin mesh instead of performing a resection, which is meant to provide protection from recurrence [ 33 ]. The use of a mesh (polyglactin or polypropylene) and the performance of pleurodesis are also recommended by Leong et al . [ 7 ]. Alifano et al . recommend resecting all visible lesions (as an optimal treatment and a method of preventing their spread). These procedures may involve partial resection of the diaphragm, resection of pulmonary foci/emphysematous bullae, and resection of the parietal pleura in order to remove the lesions from this area [ 1 ]. Resections of implants within the visceral pleura have also been performed [ 4 ]. Alifano et al . also observed that, in a group of 114 patients operated on due to spontaneous pneumothorax between 2000 and 2006, the recurrence rate was 32% for catamenial pneumothorax and 27% for non-catamenial pneumothorax. The duration of follow-up was 33 months [ 3 ]. The treatment results of 37 patients with catamenial pneumothorax indicate that diaphragm resection with pleurodesis, supplemented with hormonal treatment, offers satisfactory results [ 34 ]. The authors also recommend diaphragm resection instead of suturing or plication because of its higher effectiveness and the option to secure material for histological analysis [ 5 ]. Ciriaco et al . presented the results of treatment consisting in pleurodesis with lung apex excision, partial pleurectomy, and, when lesions were found, diaphragm plication [ 22 ]. The publication reported pneumothorax recurrence in 40% of the patients during 52 months of follow-up. The authors underscored the favorable effect of hormonal therapy [ 22 ]. In 2012, Attaran et al . presented the results of VATS pleurectomy supplemented with diaphragm reconstruction using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mesh to cover the lesions visible on the diaphragm [ 10 , 35 ]. In a small group of 12 patients in whom extensive surgery (abrasion, pleurectomy, PTFE mesh) and hormonal treatment were employed, the researchers observed recurrence in 8% of the patients. The recurrence occurred before the start of hormonal therapy. The follow-up was 46 months [ 10 ]. Haga et al . reported recurrence in 39% of 92 patients diagnosed with catamenial pneumothorax. The study encompassed 690 women who underwent surgical treatment due to spontaneous pneumothorax. Most authors underscore the significance of precise evaluation of diaphragmatic, pericardial, pleural, and pulmonary surfaces as well as the necessity of treating lesions in these locations. Obtaining material for histological analysis facilitates confirming the diagnosis of catamenial pneumothorax in the course of endometriosis [ 4 ]. In the case of catamenial pneumothorax, treatment failure most commonly consists in the recurrence of the condition [ 4 , 33 ]. Catamenial pneumothorax may recur within several years after the first episode; the general rate of recurrence in patients undergoing surgery ranges from 8% to 40%. There are no clear-cut guidelines for the treatment of catamenial pneumothorax and the prevention of its recurrence. The common element of the treatment methods is pneumothorax decompression if the patient's life is in danger. The effectiveness of both surgical treatment and hormonal therapy varies in terms of recurrence prevention. Each treatment method has its limitations and fails to guarantee sufficient efficacy [ 34 ]. Pharmacological treatment for endometriosis should be conducted by a gynecologist. The primary aim of treatment is to induce hypoestrogenism, resulting in the lack of menses. This is meant to atrophy the endometrium, including the ectopic endometrium. When deciding whether to start hormonal therapy, the woman's plans concerning pregnancy are considered. The therapies most often employ oral contraceptive pills (estrogen-progestogen) inducing menses every 28 days or used continuously (without inducing menses). The employed agents also include progestogens, which may be administered orally, intramuscularly, or as intrauterine systems. Other medications are also used. Pharmacotherapy is recommended in the case of catamenial pneumothorax associated with endometriosis. The diagnosis should be confirmed on the basis of histological examination, and hormonal therapy starts after surgical treatment [ 4 , 8 , 10 , 22 ]. Hormonal therapy alone is considered effective in preventing recurrence in patients with significant perioperative risk. Haga et al . discuss the effectiveness of hormonal therapy even though it was only used in some of the women [ 13 ]. The fact that a patient has undergone surgical treatment for pneumothorax should not influence the obstetric decisions concerning the methods of child delivery. The literature data on this subject are insufficient. Due to the multi-specialty character of the disease's treatment, its chronic course, requiring numerous surgical interventions in various body cavities or long-term pharmacotherapy, and the relatively unpredictable treatment results, the treatment provided to patients with catamenial pneumothorax should be conducted by multi-specialist teams. Furthermore, patients with this condition should be instructed to seek gynecological consultation due to the possibility of concomitant uterine endometriosis. Discrepancies in the rates of recurrence or the mean age of disease development stem from the small size of the study groups and the differences in the length of follow-up.

Catamenial pneumothorax should be suspected in young women with pneumothorax during the perimenstrual period. Treatment failure in the case of catamenial pneumothorax most commonly consists in the recurrence of the condition. During surgery, it is necessary to carefully observe and remove the lesions from the parietal and visceral pleura. Diaphragm reconstruction is required each time when fenestrations are found in this structure. Hormonal therapy is also recommended, as it appears to facilitate maintaining the effects achieved with surgery.

Catamenial pneumothorax may be associated with the occurrence of thoracic endometriosis [ 2 – 5 , 11 , 14 , 24 – 26 ]. Concomitance of catamenial pneumothorax and endometriosis was described in a woman in the 8 th week of pregnancy [ 27 ]. Thoracic endometriosis is defined as the presence of ectopic endometrium within the chest, the symptoms of which appear during ovulation [ 11 ]. Symptoms of pelvic endometriosis, secondary or primary infertility, and previous gynecological procedures [ 1 , 3 – 5 ] may suggest the diagnosis of catamenial pneumothorax in the course of endometriosis. During laparoscopic treatment of pelvic endometriosis, endometrial implants can be found in the diaphragm. Endometrial implants occurred individually (30%) or in groups (70%) in patients undergoing surgery. The implants developed on the right side in 87% of the patients, and on the left only in 11%. Left-sided diaphragmatic foci of endometriosis are a rare phenomenon – they make up only approximately 2% of the intraoperative findings [ 28 ]. A review of the treatment results of 110 patients with thoracic endometriosis revealed that pneumothorax occurred in 72% of the women, hemoptysis in 14%, pleural hematomas in 12%, and lung nodules in 2% [ 11 ]. Pelvic endometriosis may precede the development of thoracic endometriosis by 5 years [ 12 ]. Despite the fact that the most common manifestation of thoracic endometriosis is pneumothorax [ 11 , 12 ], in some cases of catamenial pneumothorax, endometrial character of the disease cannot be confirmed histologically [ 5 , 9 , 22 ]. Abnormal fenestrations in the tendinous part of the diaphragm can be observed during surgical procedures performed on patients suffering from catamenial pneumothorax concomitant with endometriosis. Furthermore, the patients’ pleurae feature spots and nodules which are endometrial implants. The lesions are most often located on the diaphragmatic pleura. Bagan et al . point to the increase in the serum titer of the Ca125 antigen as a helpful marker of catamenial pneumothorax associated with endometriosis [ 29 ]. In accordance with the presented data, the value of Ca125 that indicates high probability of endometriosis is 76 U/ml. In a study published by Haga in 2013, an increase of the Ca125 antigen to 36.7 ±42.3 U/ml was considered significant [ 13 ]. However, the marker is not specific, which limits its routine use.

There are no unequivocal criteria for the diagnosis of this condition. Radiologically, catamenial pneumothorax may be suspected in cases of pneumoperitoneum concomitant with right-sided pneumothorax [ 30 ]. Additional criteria are extensive diaphragmatic defects, diaphragmatic hernia involving the liver [ 31 ], and small diaphragmatic defects described as “air-filled bubbles” corresponding to perforations within the diaphragm [ 15 ]. Computed tomography can reveal endometrial nodules on the surface of the diaphragm [ 22 ]. Although magnetic resonance may facilitate the visualization of endometriotic foci [ 32 ], the routine performance of this examination in the case of pneumothorax does not currently appear justified.