Menstruation-related spontaneous pneumothorax

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female

Chest X-ray

x-ray

Chest x-ray shows a right pneumothorax. 

Right pneumothorax and some atelectasis.  

Patient was immediately drained on the emergency department. 

Post chest drainage D1

x-ray

There is a right thoracic drain. No more signs of pneumothorax. 

Case Discussion

The present studies doesn't show us, but the patient has a confirmed history of endometriosis with endometriotic lesions in thoracic cavity. This was her fourth pneumothorax episode during menstruation period, all of them on the right side. 

Endometriosis is a common and clinically important problem in women of childbearing age. It is classically defined as the presence of functional endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity and musculature.

This patient had a menstruation-related spontaneous pneumothorax, condition that is also termed as catamenial pneumothorax.

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