Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2012 Jul;55(7):530-533. 10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.7.530.

A case of diaphragmatic endometriosis presenting with catamenial pneumothorax

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. drsook@schmc.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.
  • 3Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a relatively common gynecologic disease. Thoracic endometriosis syndrome occupies half of various types of external endometriosis, however it is very rare condition. We experienced a case of 40-year-old woman who presented with recurrent episodes of spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax that occurred during her menstrual periods. After the localization of the disease site by means of chest radiography and high resolution computed tomography of the thorax, thoracoscopic assisted diaphragm endometriosis resection and suture were performed. After pathologic diagnosis, a hormonal treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist was also conducted. We report this case with a brief review of the concerned literatures.

Keyword

Catamenial pneumothorax; Endometriosis; Thoracoscopic operation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Diaphragm
Endometriosis
Female
Genital Diseases, Female
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Humans
Pneumothorax
Sutures
Thorax
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Pneumothorax

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Simple chest X-ray showed right side pneumothorax.

  • Fig. 2 High resolution chest computed tomography showed right side pneumothorax (arrowhead) with passive subsegmental atelectasis (arrow) in right middle lobe and right lower lobe.

  • Fig. 3 Microscopic finding of the diaphragm showing endometrial stromal tissue and glands (H&E, ×200).


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