Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a 47-Year-Old Woman

Timothy M. Guenther, Guenther TM, Joshua D. Gustafson, Pribyl SM, Shea M Pribyl, Curtis J. Wozniak, Wozniak CJ
Military medicine · 2020 · vol. 185(9-10) , pp. e1833–e1835 · doi:10.1093/milmed/usz468 · PMID:32687200 · W3045248654
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This case report details a 47-year-old woman who underwent video assisted thorascopic surgery for recurrent pneumothorax, revealing catamenial pneumothorax caused by endometriosis nodules on the lung and diaphragm.

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Abstract

Pneumothorax is a condition where air exists in the chest cavity, outside the lung. The causes of pneumothorax are numerous and determining the etiology can aid in treatment and prevent recurrence. We describe a 47-year-old female patient with past medical history of endometriosis who presented to the emergency room with recurrent right sided pneumothorax, its onset correlating with onset of menses. She underwent video assisted thorascopic surgery for a suspected catamenial pneumothorax whereby nodular "chocolate" appearing areas were noted on the middle lobe and multiple similar appearing lesions and fenestrations were noted on the diaphragm. A biologic mesh was affixed to the diaphragm after which mechanical and chemical pleurodesis were performed. She tolerated the procedure well and has been symptom free since. Herein, we review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for catamenial pneumothorax in the hopes of increasing awareness and understanding of this rare cause of spontaneous pneumothorax.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Pneumothorax Pneumothorax Pneumothorax Pneumothorax Diaphragm Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Menstruation Middle Aged Recurrence Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted

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