A case of thoracic endometriosis-related pneumothorax in a menopausal woman

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2020 Dec;68(12):1584-1586. doi: 10.1007/s11748-020-01381-8. Epub 2020 May 14.

Abstract

Thoracic endometriosis-related pneumothorax (TERP) or thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) usually occurs in women of childbearing age and affects the right thorax. Menopausal and left-sided cases are rare. A case of left-sided TERP in a postmenopausal woman after adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer is reported. A 51-year-old woman underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for recurrent left pneumothorax. Immunohistological examination of the resected specimen from the apical bleb and a diaphragmatic blueberry spot demonstrated thoracic endometriosis. Even in the case of a left-sided pneumothorax in a menopausal woman, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of TERP.

Keywords: Menopausal; Postmenopausal; Tamoxifen; Thoracic endometriosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diaphragm
  • Endometriosis* / complications
  • Endometriosis* / diagnosis
  • Endometriosis* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menopause
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumothorax* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax* / etiology
  • Pneumothorax* / surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted