“thoracic endometriosis syndrome”

Q: Hemoptysis can be a part of “thoracic endometriosis syndrome”? (select one)

A) Yes
B) No


Answer: A

Thoracic endometriosis is consistent with endometrial tissue in any part of thorax including pleura, parenchyma, diaphragm, and bronchus. It is usually diagnosed by histological specimens with hormone receptor-positive endometrial stroma and glands from chest tube aspirate, thoracotomy, or bronchoscopy. In case of stroma only or hormone negative tissue, it should be labeled as “probable” thoracic endometriosis. 

When patient presents with clinical symptoms it is called “thoracic endometriosis syndrome”. It may present as single or in combination of pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemoptysis, and chest pain. Usually it occurs during the time of menstruation.

#ob-gyn
#pulmonary


References:

1. Channabasavaiah AD, Joseph JV. Thoracic endometriosis: revisiting the association between clinical presentation and thoracic pathology based on thoracoscopic findings in 110 patients. Medicine (Baltimore) 2010; 89:183. 

2. Korom S, Canyurt H, Missbach A, et al. Catamenial pneumothorax revisited: clinical approach and systematic review of the literature. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2004; 128:502.

3.  Rousset-Jablonski C, Alifano M, Plu-Bureau G, et al. Catamenial pneumothorax and endometriosis-related pneumothorax: clinical features and risk factors. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:2322.