Pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis associated with tuberous sclerosis. Treatment with tamoxifen and tetracycline-pleurodesis

Chest. 1985 Sep;88(3):473-5. doi: 10.1378/chest.88.3.473.

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman was seen with the clinical and histologic picture of lymphangiomyomatosis syndrome. She also had dermatologic and neurologic stigmata of tuberous sclerosis. After the development of a recurring chylothorax, she had a downhill course unresponsive to dietary, bronchodilator, corticosteroid and progesterone therapy. In an open lung specimen, the search for steroid receptor for estrogen was positive. The discovery in this case of an estrogen receptor represents important evidence for establishing an association between tuberous sclerosis and lymphangiomyomatosis. Tamoxifen therapy and tetracycline pleurodesis were successful in stopping the progressive course and controlling the chylothorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adhesiveness
  • Adult
  • Chylothorax / etiology
  • Chylothorax / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology
  • Lymphangiomyoma / drug therapy*
  • Lymphangiomyoma / etiology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / drug therapy
  • Pleura / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / analysis
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Tetracycline / therapeutic use*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / complications*

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Tamoxifen
  • Tetracycline