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

Pleural effusion secondary to endometriosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis-associated pleural effusion is a rare occurrence with poorly defined clinical characteristics.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to examine all articles on endometriosis-associated pleural effusion extracted from 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus) from inception until November 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 142 articles (isolated cases and small retrospective series) involving 176 patients (median age 33 years) with endometriosis-associated pleural effusion were included. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (67%), chest pain (55%) and abdominal pain (40%). Pleural effusion was predominantly unilateral (89%), right-sided (88.5%) and massive (56%). Ascites was evident in 42% of the cases. Pleural fluid had a bloody appearance in 99% of cases and always met the exudate criteria. Pleural fluid cytology identified only 9% of the patients, with pleural biopsy being the most common diagnostic procedure (74%). Most patients were treated with hormones (76%), thoracic surgery (60%) and abdominal surgery (27%). Effusion recurrence was observed in 26% of cases after a median follow-up of 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of right-sided hemorrhagic pleural effusion in a young woman warrants an assessment for the possibility of endometriosis. Despite conventional treatment, effusion recurs in approximately a quarter of patients.

Is hormonal manipulation after surgical treatment of catamenial pneumothorax effective in reducing the rate of recurrence? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Catamenial pneumothorax CP is a rare form of spontaneous pneumothorax in females forming part of thoracic endometriosis syndrome. Studies have suggested possible benefit from postoperative hormonal administration. As this treatment is inconsistent, we aimed at performing the first meta-analysis to study the efficacy of adding hormonal treatment after surgery to reduce the chances of recurrent catamenial pneumothorax.

METHODS

CENTRAL, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were systematically searched from inception up to December 15, 2021. Studies reporting five or more patients with end point outcome were included. The main outcome assessed was postoperative recurrence of CP after hormonal manipulation. Baseline, procedural, outcome, and validity data were systematically appraised and pooled with random-effect methods. meta- regression for the effect of patient age and follow up period were tested. Publication bias was examined. This trial was registered with PROSPERO under registration number CRD42022325377.

RESULTS

Our electronic search retrieved 644 citations, 48 of which were selected for full-text review. Eleven studies with a combined population of 111 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All patients reached an endpoint of follow up for postoperative recurrence of catamenial pneumothorax after receiving hormonal treatment. Overall study validity was acceptable, with a median score of 6 on the Newcastle Ottawa scale NOS appraising the quality of observational studies. CP is almost always a right-side disease (107/111 = 96.3 %). The risk of postoperative recurrence with hormonal treatment was 17.3 % (8.9 - 25.8 %) with moderate non-significant heterogeneity (I2 = 40.85 %; P = 0.076). The cumulative risk of recurrence for all patients not receiving postoperative hormonal therapy included in our study was 54.2 % (19/35 patients). Meta regression showed age to be a significant predictor of postoperative recurrence (p = 0.03). As the age increases one year, the risk of recurrence decreases by 6 % (0.2 - 3 %). Publication bias was detected by visualizing the funnel plot of standard error, Egger's test with p < 0.01 and Begg & Mazumdar test with p < 0.01.

CONCLUSION

The study included the largest number of CP patients with outcome findings of postoperative recurrence with hormonal treatment despite the small number of studies, non-randomised fashion and publication bias. Our findings recommend the use of hormonal manipulation after thoracic surgical intervention for catamenial pneumothorax unless evident contraindications. Younger patients are at a higher risk of recurrence after surgery.

Hemorrhagic pleural effusion in Indonesian male with pulmonary tuberculosis: A rare case

Background

Patients with hemorrhagic pleural effusion who live in tuberculosis endemic areas are recommended to perform adenosine deaminase (ADA) test.

Case presentation

A Javanese 22-year-old male complained of shortness of breath and cough with phlegm for 1 week, and worsened 3 days before being admitted to the hospital. The X-ray results showed pleural effusion, and hemorrhagic pleural effusion examination showed an increase in lymphocytes (60.2%), lactate dehydrogenase/LDH (2624 U/L), and cell count (4584 cells/mm³), and the ADA test obtained 49 IU/L. The water-sealed drainage (WSD) was installed and first-line anti-tuberculosis drug (ATD) was given for 1 month. After showing improvement in the first month, the first-line ATD was continued until 6 months.

Discussion

Patients with hemorrhage pleural effusion who live in tuberculosis endemic areas are recommended to perform differential diagnosis of hemorrhage pleural effusion and pulmonary tuberculosis. The use of the first-line ATD in hemorrhagic pleural effusion and pulmonary tuberculosis needs to be evaluated in the first month to detect improvement, otherwise, the medication is stopped and other investigations are carried out.

Conclusion

Successful management of hemorrhagic pleural effusion and pulmonary tuberculosis depends on early diagnosis.

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The diagnosis of tuberculosis pleural effusion is considered in endemic tuberculosis.

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Management of hemorrhagic tuberculosis pleural effusion includes chest tube and anti-tuberculosis drug (ATD).

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Hemorrhagic tuberculosis pleural effusion can be confirmed by the ADA test.