Catamenial pneumothorax overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Catamenial pneumothorax is a condition of collapsed lung occurring in conjunction with menstrual periods (catamenial refers to menstruation), believed to be caused primarily by endometriosis of the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lung).[1]
Classification
Catamenial Pneumothorax is the most common form of thoracic endometriosis syndrome, which also includes catamenial hemothorax, catamenial hemoptysis, catamenial hemopneumothorax and endometriosis lung nodules, as well as some exceptional presentations.
Pathophysiology
Endometriosis can attach to the lung, forming chocolate-like cysts. Generally the parietal pleura is involved, but the lung itself, the visceral layer, the diaphragm, and more rarely the tracheobronchial tree may also be afflicted[2] . How this endometrial tissue reaches the thorax remains enigmatic, although defects in the diaphragm can often be found.[3]
The cysts can release blood; the endometrial cyst "menstruates" in the lung. Air can move in by an unknown mechanism. The blood and air cause the lung to collapse (i.e. catamenial hemopneumothorax).[4]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Some sources claim this entity represents 3-6% of pneumothorax in women.[5] In regard of the low incidence of (primary spontaneous, i.e. not due to surgical trauma etc.) pneumothorax in women (about 1/100'000/year),[5] this is a very rare condition. Hence, many basic textbooks don't mention it, and many doctors have never heard of it.[4] However, catamenial pneumothorax is probably under-recognised.[3]
References
- ↑ Definition from mercksource.com (Dorlands Medical Dictionary)
- ↑ Joseph J, Sahn SA. Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: new observations from an analysis of 110 cases. Am J Med 1996; 100: 164-70. PMID 8629650
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Alifano M, Roth T, Broet SC, Schussler O, Magdeleinat P, Regnard JF. Catamenial pneumothorax: a prospective study. Chest 2003; 124: 1004-8. PMID 12970030
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Glynis D. Wallace. Living With Lung And Colon Endometriosis: Catamenial Pneumothorax. Authorhouse, 2005. ISBN 1-4208-8331-3
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 radio/563 at eMedicine