Thoracic endometriosis: a case report

Abstract

Thoracic endometriosis is a rare form of extrapelvic endometriosis. These patients typically present with catamenial pneumothorax or hemoptysis. Adequate clinical history coupled with HRCT helps in early diagnosis and appropriate management of thoracic endometriosis.

Endometriosis diafragmática: a propósito de un caso

“…La entidad clínica descrita causa síntomas característicos que se correlacionan con el ciclo menstrual y que se pueden asociar a lesiones torácicas ubicadas tanto en pulmón, pleura y diafragma (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

Catamenial pneumothorax due to solitary localization of diaphragmatic endometriosis

“…The pulmonary form presents as catamenial hemoptysis and pulmonary nodules. Both forms are part of the so called thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) [11] . Three theories explain the etiology of CP.…”

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome manifesting as atraumatic haemothorax causing difficult ventilation under general anaesthesia

“…It may be classified as pleural, comprising catamenial pneumothorax, catamenial haemothorax, catamenial pneumomediastinum and catamenial chest pain, and parenchymal, comprising catamenial haemoptysis and pulmonary nodules 2 5 6. In a case series of 110 cases, its most common manifestations in descending order of frequency were catamenial pneumothorax (73%), catamenial haemothorax (14%), catamenial haemoptysis (7%) and pulmonary nodules (6%) 7.…”

“…Pelvic laparoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of endometriosis 3 9. MRI is considered the non-invasive imaging modality of choice for TES, where thoracic lesions are described as increasing in size during menses, being hyperintense on T2-weighted spin-echo images, and enhancing with intravenous contrast 5. VATS, the gold standard investigation allowing both direct visualisation and targeted biopsy.…”