Thoracic endometriosis: an unusual cause of hemothorax

Conn Med. 2009 Sep;73(8):453-6.

Abstract

In this report we describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of a 45-year-old woman with thoracic endometriosis. Four clinical presentations have been described. The majority have presented with catamenial pneumothorax, followed by hemothorax, hemoptysis and lung nodules. Our patient presented with right-sided hemothorax and lung nodules. Video-assisted thoracoscopic aurgery confirmed the presence of endometrial tissue embedded in the diaphragmatic pleura. Talc pleurodesis alongwith atotal abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy led to a clinical and radiological resolution.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Drainage
  • Endometriosis / complications*
  • Endometriosis / diagnosis
  • Endometriosis / therapy
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Hemothorax / diagnosis
  • Hemothorax / etiology*
  • Hemothorax / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleura / pathology
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Thoracic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Diseases / etiology*
  • Thoracic Diseases / therapy
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisone