Catamenially recurring pneumothorax with partial liver herniation: a particular view

Liver herniation mimicking a thoracic tumor with restoration of the liver surface structure on closure of the hernia orifice under thoracoscopic surgery

Non-congenital, non-traumatic spontaneous diaphragmatic liver hernia in adults is extremely rare and sometimes misdiagnosed as a thoracic tumor. Almost all previous reports with a definitive diagnosis reported preservation; thus, differential diagnosis is extremely important for planning optimal management of such clinical conditions. An abnormal shadow in the right lower lung field was detected on chest radiography in a 61-year-old woman. Further imaging study revealed a 33-mm diameter mass adjacent to the right diaphragm. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed as diagnostic treatment. We found a pale hemispherical herniated liver on the central tendon of the diaphragm. After repositioning the herniated liver, the orifice was closed with a non-absorbable suture, and the surface of the liver returned to being a perfectly smooth surface. With this result, we believe that repair of diaphragmatic liver hernia through a minimally invasive procedure has great benefits for patients.

Non traumatic intrathoracic liver herniation mimicking a pulmonary metastasis in patient with breast cancer: A case report

Non-traumatic hepatic hernia is defined as hepatic protrusion through acquired or congenital defects on diaphragm without prior trauma. This event is rare among adults and infrequently reported in literature. 52-year-old Caucasian woman with surgically treated breast cancer with suspected lung metastasis detected during a routine Multidetector Computed Tomography lung exam. Ultrasound and subsequently Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed which revealed an overdiaphragmatic mass in contiguity with liver parenchyma compatible with overdiaphragmatic hepatic hernia. Differential diagnosis should be made with diaphragmatic or pulmonary nodule. Correct diagnosis can avoid further diagnostic investigations or invasive procedures such as biopsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a non-risky method and can clarify interpretative doubts. Currently there are still controversies about traumatic or idiopathic nature of this hernia.

Catamenial pneumothorax with partial liver herniation due to diaphragmatic laceration: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Catamenial pneumothorax is generally uncommon, with an incidence of less than 3-6% in women with spontaneous pneumothorax. As few cases of catamenial pneumothorax with diaphragmatic defect and liver herniation have been reported, this case report may be useful for understanding the cause and treatment. This case highlights the importance of the approach for liver hernia in patients with catamenial pneumothorax and endometriosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of catamenial pneumothorax in a 43-year-old woman with diaphragmatic partial liver hernia who was treated with thoracoscopic surgery. She was diagnosed with a right pneumothorax at menstruation onset. Chest computed tomography showed a nodule protruding above the right diaphragm. We performed thoracoscopic surgery to treat the persistent air leak and biopsied the nodule on the right diaphragm. There were blueberry spots on the diaphragm; the nodule was found to be the herniated liver. The diaphragmatic defect was sutured. Histological examination of the tissue near the partial prolapsed liver revealed endometrial tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

It is speculated that ectopic endometrial tissue in the diaphragm will periodically necrose to become a diaphragmatic tear, which is a pathway for air to enter the thoracic cavity and eventually a herniated liver. Thoracoscopic surgery should be considered in patients with catamenial pneumothorax when a diaphragmatic lesion is suspected.

Large Spontaneous Right Catamenial Pneumothorax with Diaphragmatic Defect and Liver Herniation

Catamenial pneumothorax is a spontaneous pneumothorax that occurs predominantly women of child bearing age. We describe a case of a 40-year-old nulliparous woman with medical history significant for endometriosis who presented with severe chest tightness of one-day duration. Chest radiography (CXR) showed a large right spontaneous pneumothorax, what was thought to be a 5.6 cm pleural mass at the right lung base. Following pneumothorax diagnosis, the patient underwent emergent right thoracostomy with pigtail catheter placement. A repeat CXR revealed marked re-expansion of the lung but persistence of a right pleural mass. Follow up computed tomography scan of the chest showed a 33 mm diaphragmatic defect with 5.8 x 4.6 x 3.9 cm area of herniated liver corresponding to the presumed pleural mass. Following complete thoracic imaging, patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, mechanical pleurodesis, and open repair of the right diaphragmatic defect. Intraoperatively, an endometrial implant was noted on the chest wall. On postoperative day three, she began her menstrual cycle and was evaluated by gynecologist who recommended hormonal therapy to reduce risk of recurrent pneumothorax. Due to a persistent air leak, the chest tube was transitioned to a Heimlich valve to facilitate home discharge. The patient was discharged on postoperative day eight, seen as outpatient with resolution of air leak and removal of chest tube.

Clinical presentation and treatment of catameinal pneumothorax and endometriosis-related pneumothorax

Introduction: Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is defined as a recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax occurring in females of reproductive age. In the 'perimenstrual period,' it is still considered relatively rare although accounting for 20-35% of spontaneous pneumothoraces occurring in premenopausal women. It is the most frequent manifestation of thoracic endometriosis, which can also cause pneumothorax during the intermenstrual period (TER non-CP). Areas covered: In this article, we review and comment the clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic management of CP and TER non-CP. We particularly emphasize on the surgical optimal treatment and associated multidisciplinary care and follow-up. Electronic databases, mostly PubMed, were used for searching terms including 'catamenial pneumothorax' and 'thoracic endometriosis.' Expert commentary: Clinical presentation and imaging of CP and TER non-CP are often unspecific except for possible visualization of endometriosis foci or diaphragmatic lesions at computed tomography-scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, we recommend careful interrogatory and intraoperative inspection for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of pneumothorax in women. Despite better awareness of surgical teams, CP and TER-non CP are still associated with high rates of postoperative recurrence (around 30%). We strongly advocate for a multidisciplinary management including early surgical and chemical pleurodesis, resection of all visible endometriosis-related lesions, hormonal blockade, and prolonged follow-up.

[Pneumothorax catamenial: results of 18 cases operas]

L'objectif de notre étude était de proposer une approche thérapeutique du pneumothorax cataménial à partir des résultats de nos 18 cas opérés. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective de Janvier 1994 à Décembre 2016 qui a concerné 18 patientes âgées en moyenne de 32,2 ans opérées d'un pneumothorax cataménial droit (16 cas) et bilatéral (2 cas). Les patientes ont été réparties en 3 groupes en fonction de l'évolution dans le temps de notre attitude chirurgicale: le groupe 1 (G1) de janvier 1994 à juin 2006, le groupe 2 (G2) de juillet 2006 à février 2008 et le groupe 3(G3) de mars 2008 à décembre 2016, ces groupes contenaient respectivement 5, 2 et 11 patientes. Ces patientes toutes nullipares avaient une dysménorrhée depuis la puberté associée dans 11 cas à des douleurs thoraciques cataméniales. La radiographie standard du thorax a été systématique et complétée dans 8 cas par un scanner thoracique qui a objectivé en plus du pneumothorax, des bulles apicales (5 cas). L'exploration par mini thoracotomie postéro-latérale (16 cas) et par vidéothoracoscopie (2 cas de G3) a retrouvé des fenestrations diaphragmatiques (18 cas) et des bulles (5 cas). La biopsie des lésions et la résection des bulles a été systématique. Vis-à-vis des fenestrations diaphragmatiques, la chirurgie a consisté dans le groupe 1 en une résection-suture avec abrasion pleurale, dans le groupe 2 une couverture par un patch de Gore-tex avec abrasion pleurale et dans le groupe 3 une couverture par un patch avec talcage pleural. Une hormonothérapie (triptoreline) de 6 mois a été prescrite à chaque patiente en postopératoire pour suspendre les menstrues. Le résultat de la chirurgie a été apprécié sur la base de la survenue ou non d'une récidive du pneumothorax à la reprise des menstrues. La mortalité a été nulle. Le séjour hospitalier post opératoire moyen était de 9,32 jours. Les examens anatomopathologiques ont confirmé l'endométriose thoracique dans 9 cas. Après un suivi moyen de 5,3 ans, le résultat était bon chez 12 patientes (3/5 de G1, 1/2 de G2 et 8/11 de G3), 3 patientes de G3 ont continué de présenter des épisodes de dyspnée minime au début de quelques menstrues sans récidive radiologique, 3 patientes (2 de G1 et 1 de G2) ont récidivé et ont fait l'objet de reprise chirurgicale. En cas de pneumothorax cataménial avec fenestrations diaphragmatiques, nous proposons une phrénoplastie de recouvrement au patch associée à un talcage pleural et une hormonothérapie complémentaire concomitante de 6 mois.

Thoracoscopic approach to congenital diaphragmatic hernias in adults: Southampton approach and review of the literature

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) are likely to present in early postnatal or infancy and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to associated pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Symptomatic adult congenital Bochdalek hernia, on the other hand, is extremely rare with a prevalence of 0.17-6% of all diaphragmatic hernias. They present with recurrent abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Acute presentations could be life threatening especially if there is incarcerated or threatened bowel in the chest. Repair of symptomatic Bochdalek hernia is recommended in the adult population. We present two cases of right and left symptomatic Bochdalek hernias in adults, encountered over 15 years of practice in a tertiary referral centre in the UK. We discuss their presentation and surgical management and review the literature of similar cases treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Thoracic surgeons are increasingly becoming involved in these cases, which used to be the domain of upper gastrointestinal surgeons. A synthetic patch may be required to close the defect, therefore; the thoracic surgeon must be familiar with such techniques. The recent expansion in video format publishing in the internet and social media has revolutionized the way knowledge and how-to-do-it expertise is distributed around the world. It has the advantage of reaching far more viewer than subscription paper-printed format journals and has a rising significance in encouraging thoracic surgeons to do things they were not used to do. Finally; Symptomatic Bochdalek hernia, and possibly Morgagni hernia in the adult population could be safely repaired by VATS with good and lasting results.

Beware the 'raised right hemidiaphragm' in a female patient with previous pneumothorax surgery: liver herniation through a massive endometrosis-related diaphragmatic fenestration

A 44-year-old non-smoking woman presented with recurrent right spontaneous pneumothorax 9 years after a right-side surgical pleurodesis via a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach for suspected primary pneumothorax in another center. Histological examination of tissue excised during the earlier operation confirmed catamenial pneumothorax, but no further treatment was given. During the 9 years since, she had had persistent right lower chest pain and chest X-ray (CXR) had shown a "persistently elevated right diaphragm", but these had been treated as iatrogenic neuropathic pain and phrenic nerve palsy respectively. A redo right surgical exploration was performed for the current recurrence. Intra-operatively, the right half of the liver was found to have herniated into the chest via a massive fenestration (10 cm × 9 cm) in the right hemidiaphragm. The defect was repaired via a combined thoracotomy and laparotomy approach. This case serves as an advisory that in patients with persistent ipsilateral chest pain and a raised hemidiaphragm following surgery for catamenial pneumothorax, diaphragmatic fenestration and abdominal visceral herniation should be suspected amongst the differential diagnoses.

Is video-assisted thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication a widespread technique for diaphragmatic hernia in adults? Review of the literature and results of a national survey

Diaphragmatic plication is the most accepted treatment for symptomatic diaphragmatic hernia in adults. The fact that this pathology is infrequent and this procedure not been widespread means that this is an exceptional technique in our field. To estimate its use in the literature, we carried out a review in English and Spanish, to which we added our series. We found only six series that contribute 59 video-assisted mini-thoractomy for diaphragmatic plications in adults, and none in Spanish. Our series will be the second largest with 18 cases. Finally, we conducted a survey in all the Spanish Thoracic Surgery units in Spain: none reported more than 10 cases operated by thoracoscopy in the last 8 years (except our series) and most continue employing thoracotomy as the main approach. We believe that many patients with symptomatic diaphragmatic hernia could benefit from the use of such techniques.