Juvenile catamenial pneumothorax: institutional report and review

The importance of diaphragmatic surgery, chemical pleurodesis and postoperative hormonal therapy in preventing recurrence in catamenial pneumothorax: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is defined as a recurrent, spontaneous pneumothorax occurring within a day before or 72 h after the onset of menstruation. Most first episodes go undiagnosed and treated as primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and only after recurrence is the clinical suspicion of CP raised. No gold-standard management approach exists, especially in terms of managing diaphragmatic involvement.

METHODS

This study is a single-centre cohort retrospective study of 24 female patients who underwent surgery for pneumothorax due to diaphragmatic endometriosis between January 2008 and December 2016. Two groups were compared: a group that underwent pleurodesis alone (8 patients) and a group that underwent diaphragmatic surgery and pleurodesis (16 patients).

RESULTS

There were differences in BMI and smoking habits between the two groups. The right diaphragm was involved more often (6vs15, p = 0.190). VATS was the preferred surgical approach and only one conversion occurred in the diaphragmatic surgery group (p = 0.470). Diaphragmatic abnormalities were present in all the patients, brown/violet spots (100%) in the pleurodesis group and perforations (100%) in the diaphragmatic surgery group (p < 0.001). There were no differences in days of chest tube removal and length of stay. The recurrence rate was 100% in the pleurodesis alone group while it was only 12.5% in the diaphragmatic surgery group (< 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, diaphragmatic surgery and pleurodesis followed by hormonal therapy was an effective approach in preventing recurrence in patients with catamenial pneumothorax and diaphragmatic involvement.

Thoracic Endometriosis: A Review Comparing 480 Patients Based on Catamenial and Noncatamenial Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to categorize thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) according to whether the presenting symptoms were catamenial and to evaluate whether such a categorization enables a better management strategy.

DATA SOURCES

An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline database.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

The following keywords were used in combination with the Boolean operators AND OR: "thoracic endometriosis syndrome," "thoracic endometriosis," "diaphragm endometriosis," and "catamenial pneumothorax."

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The initial search yielded 445 articles. Articles in non-English languages, those whose full texts were unavailable, and those that did not present the symptomatology clearly were further excluded. After these exclusions, the review included 240 articles and 480 patients: 61 patients in the noncatamenial group and 419 patients in the catamenial group. The groups differed significantly in presenting symptoms, surgical treatment techniques, and observed localization of endometriotic loci (p <.05).

CONCLUSION

This review points out the significant differences between patients with TES with catamenial and noncatamenial symptoms. Such categorization and awareness by clinicians of these differences among patients with TES can be helpful in designing a management strategy. When constructing management guidelines, these differences between patients with catamenial and noncatamenial symptoms should be taken into consideration.

The Importance of Stromal Endometriosis in Thoracic Endometriosis

Thoracic endometriosis (TE) is a rare type of endometriosis, where endometrial tissue is found in or around the lungs and is frequent among extra-pelvic endometriosis patients. Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is the most common form of TE and is characterized by recurrent lung collapses around menstruation. In addition to histology, immunohistochemical evaluation of endometrial implants is used more frequently. In this review, we compared immunohistochemical (CPE) with histological (CPH) characterizations of TE/CP and reevaluated arguments in favor of the implantation theory of Sampson. A summary since the first immunohistochemical description in 1998 until 2019 is provided. The emphasis was on classification of endometrial implants into glands, stroma, and both together. The most remarkable finding is the very high percentage of stromal endometriosis of 52.7% (CPE) compared to 10.2% (CPH). Chest pain, dyspnea, right-sided preference, and diaphragmatic endometrial implants showed the highest percentages in both groups. No significant association was found between the recurrence rate and the various appearances of endometriosis. Sometimes in CPE (6.8%) and CPH (30.6%) no endometrial implants were identified underlining the importance of sensitive detection of endometriosis during and after surgery. We suggest that immunohistochemical evaluation should become mandatory and will improve diagnosis and classification of the disease.

Treatment of Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis and Review

BACKGROUND

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue within the chest cavity. Up to 80% of women with TES present with concomitant pelvic endometriosis. The diagnostic-curative path is defined by both thoracic surgeons and gynecologists, consistent with the manifestation of the disease. The aim of the study was to analyze the different approaches to generate an ideal diagnosis-treatment algorithm that can be shared by both specialties.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Scopus for studies that were completed by March 2019 and that included at least 8 patients with TES. Information on preoperative exams, surgical technique, postoperative management, and recurrence of disease was collected for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies including a total of 732 patients were eligible. Almost all of the patients underwent radiologic pelvis investigation (96%; confidence interval [CI], 87%-100%). Videothoracoscopy was the preferred surgical technique (84%; 95% CI, 66%-96%). Intraoperative evaluation revealed the presence of diaphragmatic anomalies in 84% of cases (95% CI, 73%-93%). The overall pooled prevalence of concomitant or staged laparoscopy was 52% (95% CI, 18%-85%). Postoperative hormone therapy was heterogeneous with a pooled prevalence of 61% (95% CI, 33%-86%; I² = 95.6%; P < .01). Recurrence of symptoms was documented in 27% of patients (95% CI, 20%-34%; I² = 54.7%; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

TES should be managed jointly by thoracic surgeons and gynecologists. Chest-abdomen magnetic resonance imaging seems to offer the most details for TES. Combined or staged videothoracoscopy and laparoscopy can provide adequate information to fine-tune proper surgical treatment and postoperative medical therapy.

A case of thoracic endometriosis-related pneumothorax in a menopausal woman

Thoracic endometriosis-related pneumothorax (TERP) or thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) usually occurs in women of childbearing age and affects the right thorax. Menopausal and left-sided cases are rare. A case of left-sided TERP in a postmenopausal woman after adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer is reported. A 51-year-old woman underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for recurrent left pneumothorax. Immunohistological examination of the resected specimen from the apical bleb and a diaphragmatic blueberry spot demonstrated thoracic endometriosis. Even in the case of a left-sided pneumothorax in a menopausal woman, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of TERP.

Recurrent unilateral hemorrhagic pleural effusion: A rare manifestation of thoracic endometriosis syndrome

Unilateral recurrent pleural effusions are commonly encountered in critical care practice. Relevant clinical history, physical examination, radiology, and diagnostic thoracentesis usually identify the cause of pleural effusion in most cases. Thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracic surgery may be required in selective cases. We report a case of 32-year-old female with recurrent unilateral hemorrhagic pleural effusion that was the presenting feature of thoracic endometriosis syndrome.

Catamenial Pneumothorax, a Commonly Misdiagnosed Thoracic Condition: Multicentre Experience and Audit of a Small Case Series With Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is an unusual condition affecting premenopausal women and commonly misdiagnosed as simple pneumothorax. It is characterised by its recurrence between the day before and within 72 hours after the onset of menstruation. It has been associated with thoracic endometriosis but the aetiology is not well understood and there is no unified agreement for its optimal management. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of CP in surgical patients and the results of their treatment.

METHODS

Females between the ages of 30 to 50 years with a diagnosis of pneumothorax, admitted for surgery over a 10-year period in four different hospitals were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of CP. An audit of surgical and medical management of the patients with CP and their short to midterm outcomes was performed in addition to a systemic review of the literature on CP.

RESULT

A total of 120 premenopausal female patients with a diagnosis of pneumothorax were admitted for Video Assisted Thoracoscopic (VAT) surgery and five women (4.1%) with a mean age of 42.6 years were diagnosed to have CP through surgical and histological findings. The first case was diagnosed 5 years ago and the last three within recent 12 months after the changes in surgical practices of inspecting diaphragmatic surface in suspected cases of CP. Four patients underwent diaphragmatic plication and one patient had a pleural biopsy. All patients underwent talc pleurodesis and hormone therapy in the postoperative period. Short to midterm (mean follow-up period of 25.2 months) results of the patients with CP were encouraging.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible that many of the cohort of premenopausal female patients presenting with recurrent pneumothorax are misdiagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) because routine inspection of the diaphragmatic surface is not often performed. A thorough menstrual history and its temporal relation to pneumothorax onset should be assessed on every woman presenting with recurrent pneumothorax and intraoperative exploration of diaphragmatic surface should be performed in the patients with high suspicion of CP as the patients diagnosed with CP have a good outcome with surgery and hormone therapy.

Nine cases of catamenial pneumothorax: a report of a single-center experience

Background

Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is defined as repeated pneumothorax related to menses and thoracic endometriosis. We performed a retrospective analysis of nine patients with CP to determine the clinical features as well as the effects of treatment and recurrence rates.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of the clinical and pathologic data in all CP patients undergoing treatment at our institution. Nine patients underwent treatment for CP. Of these, six underwent surgical treatment 8 times.

Results

The median age was 36 years. Six patients had experienced delivery. The laterality of the pneumothorax was right in all patients. Pelvic endometriosis was diagnosed in five patients. Six patients underwent surgical treatment. Partial resection of the lung was performed in four patients and partial resection of the diaphragm in five. Of these, both resections were performed in four patients. A pathological diagnosis of endometriosis was achieved in only three patients. The observation period was 16.7 months. In the six patients with surgical resection, five experienced recurrence at various intervals. Onset of pneumothorax occurred pre- or menstrual period in most cases.

Conclusions

The diagnosis and treatment of CP is not easy. A multidisciplinary approach and skillful management are required. Recurrence of CP is common following a temporary cure of pneumothorax by surgical treatment.

A case report of thoracic endometriosis - A rare cause of haemothorax

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The diagnosis of thoracic endometriosis is complicated, because it has no specific symptoms and signs, and often delayed. TES should be suspected in a reproductive age woman with exacerbating symptoms during the menstruation.

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TES treatment should be started with medicine. If medical therapy fails, surgical treatment should be performed.

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Our case report shows that TES may be the cause of dangerous situation when an urgent operation must be performed. It is the first case of TES that has required urgent surgical treatment in our hospital in past fifteen years. Not all clinicians know that TES sometimes might complicate to pneumothorax or massive bleeding, which might cost a patient’s life. We suggest performing VATS as soon as possible for reproductive age woman with unknown aetiology of pneumothorax or haemothorax to find out the lesions in pleural cavity and start appropriate treatment on time.

Introduction

The presence of endometrial tissue in airways, pleura and lung parenchyma is called thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES). It is a rare pathology, and typically consists of catamenial pneumothorax, haemothorax, haemoptysis, and pulmonary nodules. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman with thoracic endometriosis causing catamenial haemothorax.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of thoracic endometriosis is complicated and often delayed. TES should be suspected in a reproductive age woman with exacerbating symptoms during the menstruation.

Treatment may be medical and surgical.

Two Young Women with Left-sided Pneumothorax Due to Thoracic Endometriosis

Pneumothorax associated with thoracic endometriosis (TE) generally occurs in women around 30 years old and it usually affects the right pleural cavity. We herein report two cases of TE associated with left-sided pneumothorax in young women. The prevalence of TE in younger patients may be underestimated if these cases are treated as spontaneous pneumothorax. Pneumothorax occurring in younger patients has not been reported to show laterality. TE-related or catamenial pneumothorax in young women must therefore represent a different clinical entity from the condition seen in older patients.