Thoracic Endometriosis: Current Knowledge

Clinical features and management of thoracic endometriosis: a 20-year monocentric retrospective study

PURPOSE

Although thoracic endometriosis (TE) represents the most common manifestation of extra-pelvic endometriosis, it is a rare condition and currently there is no established clinical guideline for the management of this condition. The study's primary objective was to assess patient satisfaction with the treatment provided. A secondary objective was to investigate the efficacy of different treatment modalities in terms of symptom and lesion recurrence.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the clinical records of all women with TE who had been referred to our institution, a tertiary referral center, was conducted between January 2000 and September 2021. A frequency analysis was performed for all the variables examined in the study. The Kaplan-Meier method was adopted to analyse the time from thoracic surgery to PNX recurrence. Lastly, an intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Regarding clinical presentation, 50% of women (30/60; 95% CI 36.8-63.2) experienced at least one episode of pneumothorax (PNX). A total of 61.7% of the women in the study underwent surgical intervention, while 36.6% received pharmacological treatment. The cumulative recurrence rate of the first PNX following surgery was 0.26 (0.13-0.41) and 0.82 (0.44-0.95) at six months and 240 months, respectively. At the follow-up assessment, regardless of the administered treatment modality, over half of the women included in the study reported being satisfied with their treatment (PGIC). Additionally, most of them described their overall condition as having improved since the onset of the treatment (PGIS).

CONCLUSION

Both surgical and pharmacological treatments are valuable options for TE. Rather than being considered mutually exclusive, these approaches should be viewed as complementary.

Postpartum Thoracic Endometriosis: A Case Report

Thoracic endometriosis is a rare disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue within the thoracic cavity. Diagnostic findings, symptom presentations, and treatment methods have varied in defining thoracic endometriosis. Most criteria, however, require spontaneous pneumothorax within 72 hours of menses as the sine qua non for this diagnosis. This report describes a case of spontaneous pneumothorax from thoracic endometriosis in a postpartum female, a unique presentation not yet reported in the literature. The patient clinically improved with oxygen via a non-rebreather mask, and no additional intervention was required as the patient clinically improved on her own. Although there are many theories, there is no single theory that fully explains the pathogenesis of this disease. With further research on this disease, there is hope for a better understanding of the etiology and, subsequently, better treatment options.

[Extragenital endometriosis without a glandular component with damage to the diaphragm and pleura]

Endometriosis continues to be a significant problem for women of childbearing age, with between 6 and 10 percent of women suffering from this condition. Despite its high prevalence, the diagnosis of endometriosis can be difficult due to its different localization and morphological characteristics. This article presents a case of endometriosis affecting the diaphragm and pleura, without a glandular component. The immunohistochemical examination was instrumental in confirming the diagnosis.

Benign obstetric and gynaecological diseases associated with pleural effusion: a narrative review

Certain obstetric and gynaecological diseases are associated with pleural effusion, including benign peripartum pleural effusion, endometriosis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and Meigs syndrome. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of this group of rare diseases. A thorough understanding of their unique characteristics is required to ensure early identification, correct diagnosis and appropriate management.

Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review and Multidisciplinary Approach to Management

Background: Endometriosis is a systemic, inflammatory, estrogen-dependent condition characterized by endometrial stroma and gland-like lesions outside of the uterus. It causes a range of symptoms, notably chronic pelvic pain, infertility and organ dysfunction. Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) has been described as endometriosis that is found in the lung parenchyma, pleura and diaphragm. It may be asymptomatic or present with symptoms of catamenial pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemoptysis, isolated chest pain, shoulder pain or findings of lung nodules. Aim: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES), including its clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and current management strategies. This review aims to highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of TES, emphasizing conservative management and the role of minimally invasive surgical techniques for refractory cases. Conclusions: Thoracic endometriosis syndrome appears to be a marker of severe endometriosis. As much as possible, the patient with TES is managed conservatively, with surgery reserved for refractory cases. When surgery is recommended, the procedure is conducted through a multidisciplinary minimally invasive approach, with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and video-assisted laparoscopy. Meticulous intraoperative survey, the removal of endometriosis implants with and without robotic assistance and post-operative hormonal therapy may be recommended to prevent recurrence.

Catamenial Pneumothorax-Still an Unveiled Disease

This review presents current opinions on an uncommon condition called catamenial pneumothorax (CP), which is usually associated with thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES). TES is characterized by the presence of endometriotic lesions in pleura and lung parenchyma and presents with various clinical signs and symptoms, including catamenial pneumothorax. Their diagnosis is often delayed. Pulmonary endometric lesions, however, often detected in patients with hemothorax and hemoptysis, may be absent in a proportion of cases of pneumothorax. The typical presentation of CP includes signs and symptoms of pneumothorax, which occur along with menstruation, most commonly around 24 h before and 48-72 h after its onset. However, they may not occur during every menstrual cycle. Suggestive CP lesions on conventional radiography (RTG) include pneumoperitoneum accompanying right-sided pneumothorax, lung opacities, pleural effusion, and nodular infiltrates. Chest and abdomen computed tomography (CT), particularly contrast-enhanced, may additionally show pneumoperitoneum and diaphragmatic lesions. The management of CP includes supportive treatment of acute symptoms and causal treatment to prevent recurrent disease. This article presents the pathophysiology of CP, an overview of the diagnostic methods, and the current therapeutic approaches. The necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of CP and to the choice of the best treatment modality is underlined (promising new therapeutic options are also mentioned); however, international guidelines are still missing.

Catamenial Pneumothorax in a Patient Undergoing Low-Dose Estrogen-Progestin Therapy: A Case Report

A 46-year-old woman on low-dose estrogen-progestin (LEP) therapy for endometriosis developed a right-sided pneumothorax. Surgical findings included a pulmonary bulla in the right middle lung lobe and a small hole in the center tendon of the diaphragm, both of which were partially resected. Histopathology confirmed the presence of endometrial tissue, leading to a diagnosis of thoracic endometriosis. This case demonstrates that catamenial pneumothorax can occur despite LEP therapy, which is intended to suppress endogenous hormones. Clinicians should remain vigilant for this condition in patients with a history of endometriosis, even when hormonal treatment is in use.

A bird-eye view of diaphragmatic endometriosis: current practices and future perspectives

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is one of the most common localization of extra-pelvic endometriosis and may cause debilitating symptoms such as cyclic shoulder pain, right upper abdominal pain, and right-sided chest pain. Diaphragmatic endometriosis may also be asymptomatic. The exact mechanisms by which diaphragmatic endometriosis originates are unknown. The high correlation between severe pelvic endometriosis and diaphragmatic endometriosis suggests that the latter originates from endometriotic cells that reach the upper abdomen by circulating with the peritoneal fluid current. Robust evidence regarding the preoperative diagnosis and optimal management of diaphragmatic endometriosis is lacking. Most reports rely on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for the radiologic diagnosis of diaphragmatic endometriosis. Although its sensitivity ranged between 78% and 83%, MRI was found to underestimate the extent of diaphragmatic endometriosis in comparison with the surgical findings. Accumulating evidence indicates that asymptomatic diaphragmatic endometriosis is very unlikely to progress, and therefore, could be left in situ when incidentally found. The efficiency of ablative and excisional approaches for symptomatic endometriosis has not been assessed thoroughly to date. In addition, it is unclear whether combining the laparoscopic approach with video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) may result in an optimized result. This gap exists due to the lack of data about the association between diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis. In this review, we aimed to provide a state of the art description of the current knowledge and gaps about the pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment modalities of diaphragmatic endometriosis.

Pulmonary Endometriosis: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity, which mainly occurs in the pelvic cavity. Pulmonary endometriosis, or thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES), describes the rare presence of endometrial-like cells in the thoracic cavity and includes catamenial pneumothorax, catamenial hemothorax, hemoptysis, and lung nodules. Our aim is to summarize the results of all reported cases of TES. Methods: Extensive research was conducted through MEDLINE/PUBMED using the keywords "thoracic endometriosis", "thoracic endometriosis syndrome", "catamenial pneumothorax", "catamenial hemoptysis", and "TES". Following PRISMA guidelines, all published cases of TES between January 1950 and March 2024 were included. A systematic review of 202 studies in English, including 592 patients, was performed. Results: The median age of women with TES is 33.8 years old. The most common clinical presentation is catamenial pneumothorax (68.4%), while lesions are mainly found in the right lung unilaterally (79.9%). Chest computed tomography (CT) was used alone or after an X-ray to determine the pathological findings. Ground-glass opacity nodules and cystic lesions represent the most common finding in CT, while pneumothorax is the most common finding in X-rays. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the main therapeutic approach, usually in combination with hormonal therapy, including GnRH analogues, progestins, androgens, or combined oral contraceptives. Hormonal therapy was also administered as monotherapy. Symptom recurrence was reported in 10.1% of all cases after the treatment. Conclusions: High clinical awareness and a multidisciplinary approach are necessary for the best clinical outcome for TES patients. More studies are required to extract safer conclusions.

A surgical series on endometriosis-related diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome gives rise to various clinical and radiological manifestations. We reviewed the records of patients operated for intrathoracic migration of abdominal viscera through a diaphragmatic hernia secondary to thoracic endometriosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the single-center prospective collected database of all patients operated for thoracic endometriosis during the twenty years. All cases in which an abdominal organ was found to be herniated into the thoracic cavity were retrieved. Clinical and pathological data are presented and analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty women of median age 36 (range 25-58) years were operated for endometriosis-related diaphragmatic hernia. The hernia was diagnosed concomitantly with endometriosis-related pneumothorax in 13 cases and during the exploration of catamenial thoracic pain in seven cases. There were 18 cases on the right side and two cases on the left side. The median diameter of the hernia was 8 cm (2.5-20 cm). In seventeen cases, the hernia was repaired by direct suture, and in three cases a heterologous prosthesis was positioned. At follow-up, two patients had an episode of recurrent pneumothorax.

CONCLUSIONS

Diaphragmatic hernia should be ruled out in the presence of endometriosis-related pneumothorax or catamenial thoracic pain. Surgery is indicated to make a pathological diagnosis, restore anatomy, and prevent recurrence in patients presenting with pneumothorax.

Pulmonary endometriosis presenting as multiple nodules and pseudocavities

Pulmonary endometriosis is a rare disease of uncertain pathogenesis which generally presents with the cyclic clinical symptoms and catamenial changes noticed on computer tomography during menstruation. We report a case of a 33-year-old woman with recurrent hemoptysis for 1 year. The patient did not exhibit a temporal relationship between her periods and the onset of hemoptysis. A chest computed tomography scan showed multiple pseudocavities in the lower lobe of the right lung and multiple nodules in both lower lobes of the lungs. The right lower lobe wedge resection was performed. Postoperative pathological examination showed pulmonary endometriosis which is a rare cause of hemoptysis.

Management of Diaphragm Tumors

Diaphragm tumors are very rare, with secondary tumors being more common than primary tumors. The most common benign primary tumors include lipomas and cysts, and malignant primary tumors include rhabdomyosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Endometriosis is the most common benign secondary tumor, followed by malignant tumors with localized spread of disease. In addition, widely metastatic disease has been described. Benign lipomas and cysts can be managed conservatively, but more complex or concerning disease typically requires resection. The diaphragm can often be repaired primarily, though any large defect or tension would indicate the need for mesh or an autologous reconstruction.

Spontaneous recurrent menstrual pneumothorax: a case report

Introduction and importance

Endometriosis is most commonly found in the pelvic area, ~12% of people have it in other areas or organs, which is known as extrapelvic endometriosis. Thoracic endometriosis, which is also classified as extrapelvic endometriosis, manifests with four distinct forms: catamenial pneumothorax, catamenial hemothorax, catamenial hemoptysis, or lung nodules. Catamenial pneumothorax is the most common clinical symptom of these; however, it is frequently neglected by clinicians and goes undiagnosed and untreated. As a result, it is critical to raise awareness of this medical condition among clinicians.

Case presentation

The authors present a case report of a 34-year-old woman of reproductive age who had recurrent episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax during menstruation and underwent treatment with thoracoscopic surgery as well as gynaecological hormonal drugs including oral progesterone and dienogest throughout this time. Based on her symptoms, a catamenial pneumothorax caused by thoracic endometriosis was suspected.

Clinical discussion

The clinical symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Catamenial Pneumothorax are analyzed. Furthermore, the usage of gynaecological hormone medications in this condition has been discussed. The mechanisms of oral contraceptives and progestin-based medications are evaluated by comparing the patient's treatment process, highlighting their pros and cons.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic surgery combined with postoperative gynaecological hormonal medications may be the most effective treatment for this issue. Several gynaecological hormonal medicines are available, each of which has its own set of pros and cons, and must be thoroughly evaluated as well as correctly tailored to the patient's specific circumstances to have a positive therapeutic outcome.

Embryological, anatomical and clinical considerations on pleuroperitoneal communication

The pleural and peritoneal cavity share many related features due to their common celomic origin. Normally these two spaces are completely separated with the development of the diaphragm. Defects in diaphragm morphogenesis may result in congenital diaphragmatic hernias, which is the most known form of communication between the pleural and peritoneal cavity. However, in several cases, findings of pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) have been described in adults through an apparently intact diaphragm. In this comprehensive review we systematically evaluate clinical scenarios of this form of "unexpected" PPC as reported in the literature and focus on the possible mechanisms involved.

Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome (TES) in Martinique, a French West Indies Island

INTRODUCTION

Endometriosis is a female disease that affects 5-10% of women of childbearing age, with predominantly pelvic manifestations. It is currently declared as a public health priority in France. Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is the most common extra-pelvic manifestation.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with TES in Martinique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a descriptive, retrospective study including all patients managed at the University Hospital of Martinique for TES between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2020.

RESULTS

During the study period, we identified 479 cases of pneumothorax, of which 212 were women (44%). Sixty-three patients (30% of all female pneumothorax) were catamenial pneumothorax (CP) including 49 pneumothoraxes alone (78% of catamenial pneumothorax) and 14 hemopneumothorax (22% of catamenial pneumothorax). There were 71 cases of TES, including 49 pneumothoraxes (69%), 14 hemopneumothoraxes (20%) and 8 hemothorax (11%). The annual incidence of TES was 1.1 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The prevalence of TES was 1.2/1000 women aged from 15 to 45 years and the annual incidence of TES for this group was 6.9/100,000. The annual incidence of CP was 1 case/100,000 inhabitants. The average age at diagnosis was 36 ± 6 years. Eight patients (11%) had no prior diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis (PE). The mean age at pelvic endometriosis diagnosis was 29 ± 6 years. The mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 24 ± 50 weeks, and 53 ± 123 days from diagnosis to surgery. Thirty-two patients (47%) had prior abdominopelvic surgery. Seventeen patients (24%) presented other extra-pelvic localizations. When it came to management, 69/71 patients (97%) underwent surgery. Diaphragmatic nodules or perforations were found in 68/69 patients (98.5%). Histological confirmation was obtained in 55/65 patients who underwent resection (84.6%). Forty-four patients (62%) experienced recurrence. The mean time from the initial treatment to recurrence was 20 ± 33 months. The recurrence rate was 16/19 (84.2%) in patients who received medical therapy only, 11/17 (64.7%) in patients treated by surgery alone, and 17/31 (51.8%) in patients treated with surgery and medical therapy (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a very high incidence of TES in Martinique. The factors associated with this high incidence in this specific geographical area remain to be elucidated. The frequency of recurrence was lower in patients who received both hormone therapy and surgery.

True Prevalence of Diaphragmatic Endometriosis and Its Association with Severe Endometriosis: A Call for Awareness and Investigation

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To identify characteristics indicating preoperatively the presence of diaphragmatic endometriosis (DE).

DESIGN

Comparison of characteristics of patients with diaphragmatic endometriosis (DE) with characteristics of patients with abdominal endometriosis without diaphragmatic involvement, in a prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center; endometriosis center.

PATIENTS

A total of 1372 patients with histologically proven endometriosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgery performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia. All patients with suspected endometriosis underwent a complete bilateral inspection of the diaphragm.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographic and clinical pathologic characteristics were evaluated using basic descriptive statistics (comparison of the groups using the χ2 test and the Mann-Whitney t test). A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship (hazard ratio) between symptoms and the presence of DE. DE was diagnosed in 4.7% of the patients (65 of 1372). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups (patients with abdominal endometriosis with or without DE) with regard to typical endometriosis pain (dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, and/or dyspareunia). However, in the DE group, diaphragmatic pain was present significantly more often preoperatively (27.7% vs 1.8%, p <.001). Four DE patients (6.1 %) were asymptomatic (with infertility the indication for surgery). In the DE group, 78.4 % had advanced stages of endometriosis (revised American Fertility Society III° or IV°); the left lower pelvis was affected in more patients (73.8%). In cases of ovarian endometriosis, patients with DE showed a significantly higher prevalence of left ovaries involvement (left 63% vs right 35.7%, p <.001). Patients with DE had a significantly higher rate of infertility (49.2% vs 28.7%, p <.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with shoulder pain, infertility, and/or endometriosis in the left pelvis have a significant higher risk of DE and therefore need specific preoperative counseling and if indicated surgical treatment.

Catamenial pneumothorax: Not only VATS diagnosis

Background

Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is a rare type of spontaneous, recurring pneumothorax occurring in women, from the day before menstruation until 72 hours after its beginning. Conservative treatment is generally associated with recurrence of CP. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach allows not only to obtain diagnosis but also to guide definitive treatment of causing lesions, such as ectopic endometrial implants or diaphragmatic defects and fenestrations. We report our experience in VATS management of CP to focus on its role in CP.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective observational study, we collected data from women referred to our center for CP, from January 2019 to April 2022. All patients underwent VATS approach, with muscle-sparing thoracotomy when diaphragmatic fenestrations were detected, to perform selective diaphragmatic plication and/or partial diaphragmatic resection. Results were analyzed in terms of pneumothorax recurrence after surgical treatment. All patients were referred to gynecologists for medical therapy.

Results

Eight women (median age 36 years, range: 21-45), all with right side CP, were included; three already had pelvic endometriosis and two had already undergone lung apicectomy at other institutions. VATS allowed us to detect diaphragmatic fenestrations in seven patients (87.5%) and apical bullae in five (62.5%). Apicectomy was performed in five cases (62.5%), selective diaphragmatic plication in two (25%), and partial diaphragmatic resection in five (62.5%). Chemical pleurodesis with talc was performed in all to minimize the risk of recurrence. Pathological diagnosis of endometriosis on the resected diaphragm was achieved in five patients (62.5%). No recurrence occurred, except for one woman who stopped medical treatment for endometriosis.

Conclusions

In the management of patients with CP, VATS should be recommended not only to obtain an explorative diagnosis of ectopic endometrial implants or diaphragmatic fenestrations but also to allow the most appropriate surgical treatment and obtain pathological specimens for confirmation and definitive diagnosis of thoracic endometriosis. Medical therapy to achieve ovarian rest is mandatory in the postoperative period and should not be discontinued.

Thoracic endometriosis masquerading as Meigs' syndrome in a young woman: A case report and literature review

Thoracic endometriosis is an exceedingly rare condition characterized by the presence of endometriotic deposits on the diaphragm, lungs or pleural space. Patients may present with massive hemothorax, pneumothorax, hemoptysis or pulmonary nodules. It is a complex condition that often proves to be a diagnostic challenge, resulting in under-diagnosis, delays in treatment and significant morbidity in women of reproductive age. We report a case of endometriosis causing massive pleural effusion and ascites, with a left adnexal fibroid mass mimicking Meigs' syndrome in a nulliparous woman in her late 30s. The patient was successfully managed with hormonal therapy following fertility-sparing surgical treatment. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with thoracic endometriosis because of its close resemblance to more sinister gynecological conditions. Hormonal therapy is the long-term treatment of choice in patients with thoracic endometriosis to reduce the risk of symptom recurrence and preserve fertility.

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The most common presentation of thoracic endometriosis is catamenial pneumothorax followed by catamenial hemothorax.

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Thoracic endometriosis should be considered in a woman presenting with a haemothorax and other stigmata of endometriosis

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Although video-assisted thoracoscopy provides a definitive diagnosis, thoracic endometriosis can be diagnosed clinically.

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Hormonal therapy is the mainstay of treatment to control symptoms, reduce recurrence and preserve fertility.

Dynamics of thoracic endometriosis in the pleural cavity

Background

Thoracic endometriosis-related pneumothorax is a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax caused by thoracic endometriosis. Diaphragmatic endometriosis is well-studied, but visceral and/or parietal pleural lesions are not. Although surgery is an effective treatment, postoperative recurrence rates are unsatisfactory probably due to inadequate understanding of underlying pathophysiology. We aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of thoracic endometriosis.

Methods

In total, 160 patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery from a single institution with histopathologically proven thoracic endometriosis from January 2015 to December 2019 were included. Clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes were assessed retrospectively.

Results

The cohort median age was 41 (range 22–53) years. Pneumothorax was right-sided in 159 (99.4%) and left-sided in only 1 (0.6%) case. Visceral and parietal pleural lesions were diagnosed in 79 (49.4%) and 71 (44.4%) patients, respectively. In total, 104 visceral pleural lesions and 101 parietal pleural lesions were detected. The S⁴ region and the dorsal 6^th intercostal space contained the largest number of visceral pleural (66 lesions) and parietal pleural lesions (25 lesions), respectively. Histopathological evaluation revealed endometriotic tissues, existing in the outer external elastic layer in all lesions, were localized or invaded deeply. The median follow-up period was 370 (range, 6–1824) days. The Kaplan-Meier method revealed that the 1- and 2-year postoperative recurrence rates were 13.8% and 19.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Visceral pleural endometriotic lesions may be disseminated from the visceral pleural surface and infiltrate into the pleura. Intraoperatively, careful observation of the specific sites, such as the visceral pleura of S⁴ and the parietal pleura of 6^th intercostal space, is important to reduce postoperative recurrence.

Pseudohemothorax induced by residual contrast medium mimicking aortic dissection rupture

Hemothorax is an urgent condition, and its accurate diagnosis and the identification of the cause are important. Herein, we report a case of a 74-year-old man with end-stage renal disease who was presented with high-concentration pleural effusion owing to residual contrast medium. The case required differentiation from hemothorax owing to an aortic dissection and its rupture. In patients with end-stage renal disease, noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography after contrast-enhanced computed tomography may result in high-concentration pleural effusion owing to the existence of residual contrast medium. This realization is important to determine whether high-concentration pleural effusion symptoms reflect an urgent hemothorax case possibly related to an imminent rupture of an aortic aneurysm or intrathoracic penetration of aortic dissection, and whether invasive procedures, such as thoracentesis, ought to be avoided.

The importance of diaphragmatic surgery, chemical pleurodesis and postoperative hormonal therapy in preventing recurrence in catamenial pneumothorax: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is defined as a recurrent, spontaneous pneumothorax occurring within a day before or 72 h after the onset of menstruation. Most first episodes go undiagnosed and treated as primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and only after recurrence is the clinical suspicion of CP raised. No gold-standard management approach exists, especially in terms of managing diaphragmatic involvement.

METHODS

This study is a single-centre cohort retrospective study of 24 female patients who underwent surgery for pneumothorax due to diaphragmatic endometriosis between January 2008 and December 2016. Two groups were compared: a group that underwent pleurodesis alone (8 patients) and a group that underwent diaphragmatic surgery and pleurodesis (16 patients).

RESULTS

There were differences in BMI and smoking habits between the two groups. The right diaphragm was involved more often (6vs15, p = 0.190). VATS was the preferred surgical approach and only one conversion occurred in the diaphragmatic surgery group (p = 0.470). Diaphragmatic abnormalities were present in all the patients, brown/violet spots (100%) in the pleurodesis group and perforations (100%) in the diaphragmatic surgery group (p < 0.001). There were no differences in days of chest tube removal and length of stay. The recurrence rate was 100% in the pleurodesis alone group while it was only 12.5% in the diaphragmatic surgery group (< 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, diaphragmatic surgery and pleurodesis followed by hormonal therapy was an effective approach in preventing recurrence in patients with catamenial pneumothorax and diaphragmatic involvement.

Catamenial Pneumothorax as the First Expression of Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome and Pelvic Endometriosis

Objective: The menstrual-related catamenial pneumothorax (CP) can be the first expression of thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES), which is the presence of endometriotic lesions in the lungs and pleura, and pelvic endometriosis (PE). This study aims to analyze our experience with this specific correlation describing our multidisciplinary approach to CP. Methods: Hospital records of 32 women, operated for CP at our Department from January 2001 to December 2021 were reviewed. Surgical treatment consisted of videothoracoscopy and laparoscopy when indicated. Results: TES and PE were diagnosed in 13 (40.6%) and 12 (37.5%) women, respectively. The association of TES and PE was present in 11 cases (34%). Fifteen patients (46.9%) underwent laparoscopy, of which 11 concurrently with videothoracoscopy. Most of the patients affected had stage III–IV endometriosis (40.6%). All patients received hormonal therapy after surgery. Five patients with PE conceived spontaneously resulting in six live births. The mean follow-up was 117 ± 71 months (range 8–244). Pneumothorax recurrence occurred in six patients (18.8%). At present, all women are asymptomatic, with no sign of pneumothorax recurrence. Conclusions: CP might be the first expression of TES and/or PE. A multidisciplinary approach is advocated for optimal management of the disease.

Thoracic Endometriosis: A Review Comparing 480 Patients Based on Catamenial and Noncatamenial Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to categorize thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) according to whether the presenting symptoms were catamenial and to evaluate whether such a categorization enables a better management strategy.

DATA SOURCES

An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline database.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

The following keywords were used in combination with the Boolean operators AND OR: "thoracic endometriosis syndrome," "thoracic endometriosis," "diaphragm endometriosis," and "catamenial pneumothorax."

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The initial search yielded 445 articles. Articles in non-English languages, those whose full texts were unavailable, and those that did not present the symptomatology clearly were further excluded. After these exclusions, the review included 240 articles and 480 patients: 61 patients in the noncatamenial group and 419 patients in the catamenial group. The groups differed significantly in presenting symptoms, surgical treatment techniques, and observed localization of endometriotic loci (p <.05).

CONCLUSION

This review points out the significant differences between patients with TES with catamenial and noncatamenial symptoms. Such categorization and awareness by clinicians of these differences among patients with TES can be helpful in designing a management strategy. When constructing management guidelines, these differences between patients with catamenial and noncatamenial symptoms should be taken into consideration.

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome in Nigeria: a single-centre experience

OBJECTIVES

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is the presence of functional endometrial tissue in or around the lung. There seem to be differences in the clinical presentation of this condition among Nigerian patients. We aim to study the clinical presentation and management outcome of TES in our centre.

METHODS

This is an analysis of consecutive patients with TES treated over a 5-year period and followed up for 6 months to 5 years. Information collected included the gynaecological history, clinical presentation, causes of misdiagnosis, modalities of treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients with TES aged between 24 and 45 years (median 32 years) were treated. Severe dysmenorrhoea was a prominent symptom in 91.3% of cases (median dysmenorrhoea score 8) and was uninfluenced by the marital status (P = 0.522). The patients usually presented with massive or recurrent haemothorax associated with massive ascites [16/23 (69.5%) of cases (P = 0.0006)]. The right side alone was involved in 21 cases and 1 patient had catamenial haemoptysis as a part of her symptoms, even though there was bronchial bleed at bronchoscopy in 6 patients. In 40%, tuberculosis was the misdiagnosis. Diagnosis was established histologically in 18/23 (78.3%) of the cases. Treatment was multimodal and multidisciplinary with notable macroscopic lesions in 77.8% of the patients that had surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

TES is not an uncommon lesion. Presentation with massive haemothorax is usually associated with massive ascites. A large percentage of such have pleural and diaphragmatic lesions that require surgical treatment. The ascites may be refractory to treatment requiring repeated paracentesis.

Thoracic Endometriosis: Still a Diagnostic Dilemma

We report a case of thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) presenting with a five-week history of progressive shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. Investigations revealed a large, right-sided pleural effusion that was bloody on aspiration. A diagnosis of TES was one of the diagnoses entertained and eventually confirmed on finding evidence of pelvic endometriosis on laparotomy. The management of TES should include hormonal therapy, surgical management, or a combination of both.

Improving the diagnostic recognition of thoracic endometriosis: Spotlight on a new histo-morphological indicator

The diagnosis of thoracic endometriosis (TE) is challenging, hence resulting in under-diagnosis as well as long delays before arriving at a correct definitive diagnosis. Our aim is to review the histopathological findings in TE, summarise the diagnostic features, identify any major histo-morphological indicator(s) hitherto unrecognised as such, suggest diagnostic criteria; all with the aim of improving the diagnostic capacity and reducing observer error even where the clinical suspicion is low. A case-control study in which a search in the pathology archives of a referral hospital over a 10-year period was conducted. Twenty-six cases of TE were identified, reviewed, and compared with a control population of 48 cases taken from common benign thoracic diseases. Nine notable histological features were identified in varying permutations in the test group, namely: endometrioid glands, lymphoid clusters, ceroid macrophages, siderophages, cholesterol crystals, capillary congestion, multinucleated giant cells, smooth muscle bundles and fibrosis. The first 6 features were frequent; each being present in over 13 (13/26; 50%) test cases. The first 8 features showed significant association with TE by the Chi-squared test (P<0.05). In this group, the strength of association is high for the first 4 features (Cramér's V≥0.5). The presence of ceroid macrophages is shown to be a novel key feature, previously unrecognised as such, for the identification of TE. The presence of any three of four features including endometrioid glands, lymphoid clusters, ceroid macrophages and siderophages is a suggested criterion for the definitive diagnosis of TE.

Surgical management of diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis': A French multicentric descriptive study

INTRODUCTION

Surgical management of Diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis (DTE) is still controversial, a thoracic or an abdominal approach can be proposed.

METHODS

We conducted a multicentric retrospective study in 8 thoracic, gynecology or digestive surgery units in 5 French university hospitals. The main objective was to review the current management of DTE.

RESULTS

50 patients operated for DTE from 2010 to 2017 were included: 26 with a thoracic approach and 24 with an abdominal approach. Preoperative pelvic endometriosis (PE) concerned 25 patients. In 38 patients, DTE diagnosis was made on clinical symptoms (pneumothorax (n = 19), chronic or catamenial chest pain (n = 18) or hemopneumothorax (n = 1)). Median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 47 months (0-212). PE surgery concurrently occurred in 22 patients. We report diaphragmatic nodules, pleuropulmonary nodules and diaphragmatic perforations in 42, 5 and 22 women respectively. Lesions were right-sided in 45 patients. Nodules were destructed in 12 cases and resected in 38 cases. When a diaphragmatic reconstruction was needed (n = 31), a simple suture was performed in 26 patients, while 5 patients needed a mesh repair. Pleural symphysis was performed for all patients who received a thoracic approach. DTE resection was considered complete in 46 patients. Three patients had severe 30-days complications of DTE surgery. Median follow-up was 20 months (range 1-69). Recurrence occurred in 10 patients.

CONCLUSION

The results emphasize the importance of systematically looking for chest pain in patients suffering from PE and underline the lack of a standardized procedure and treatment in DTE.

Impact of symptom burden on work performance status in Spanish women diagnosed with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To explore work performance status in Spanish women with endometriosis and to identify those endometriosis-related symptoms that potentially contribute to the reduced work performance.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Spain.

POPULATION

Women with endometriosis working at enrolment (n = 148).

METHODS

Work performance status was assessed through the Work Role Functioning Questionnaire (WRFQ). Endometriosis-related symptoms (pelvic pain, catastrophizing thoughts related to pain, chronic fatigue, sleep quality, mood status, gastrointestinal discomfort and social support) were also evaluated through validated scales. Statistical analyses were performed through multivariate linear regression analyses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Work performance status.

RESULTS

Median WRFQ score was 72.0, with the lowest scores found in demands related to worker's needs to manage the workday from beginning to end and those dynamic and static physical loads required in the conduct of work duties. Severe pelvic pain, depressive mood and poorer sleep quality was inversely related to work performance status (p-values <0.020). Finally, self-perceived social support was borderline associated with better work performance (p = 0.057). Considered together, these four psychosocial factors were responsible to explain the 37.9 % of the limitations on work performance observed in our study sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Spanish women with endometriosis reported lower WRQF scores (predominantly in work scheduling and physical demands) in comparison with previous studies on Spanish healthy adults. Psychosocial factors, including pelvic pain, sleep quality and depressive mood are related with work performance status. Thus, the effectiveness of physical and psychological rehabilitation programs in work productivity in women with endometriosis should be evaluated in the close future.

Thoracic endometriosis presented as catamental hemoptysis: a case series of a rare disease

OBJECTIVE

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is a rare disease in which a functioning endometrial tissue is observed in the pleura, lung, parenchyma, airways, and/or diaphragm. The optimal management of this disease remains a matter of debate. We aimed to report TES cases and their effective hormonal treatment and management.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, women presented as catamenial hemoptysis (CH) diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis were included. The main outcome of measure was cessation or recurrence of the clinical manifestations of thoracic endometriosis.

RESULTS

The mean onset age of the 14 patients was 30.21 ± 5.40 years. CH was characteristic symptom of these patients. All patients underwent chest computed tomography (CT) scan during menstruation and 2 or 3 weeks after menstruation, which showed the obvious shrinking or disappearance of the lesions. All of the patients were given Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) for 3 to 6 months, eleven of them were administered with combined oral contraceptives (COC) cyclically after GnRHa. The median follow-up duration was 24 months. Hemoptysis recurrence was observed in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

CH is a rare clinical entity of thoracic endometriosis, the change of CT images during and after menstruation or the response to GnRHa were helpful for accurate diagnosis. Hormonal treatment with GnRHa followed by COCs cyclically could be employed for efficient management of thoracic endometriosis.

Diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis: results of an international patient survey

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the delays associated with the diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis (DE), and to evaluate patient-reported postoperative outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

An anonymous survey was designed to collect data regarding demographics, duration and nature of DE symptoms, type of surgery and postoperative outcomes. Members of endometriosis patient associations in 14 countries were invited to complete the survey if they had been diagnosed with DE. Factors associated with postoperative outcomes were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Data was available from 136 respondents (median age 34 years). 98 % of respondents were from Europe, North America or Oceania. The most frequently reported symptoms of DE were moderate-severe pain in the upper abdomen (68 %), chest (64 %) and shoulder (54 %). Pain was right-sided in 54 %, left-sided in 11 % and bilateral in 35 %. Of 122 respondents who initially consulted a primary care physician, a gynaecology referral occurred after a median of five consultations (range 1-100). The median time between first primary care consultation and diagnosis of DE was two years (range 0-23). 31 % were diagnosed >1 year after their first gynaecology consultation (range 1-13 years), and 30 % required two or more laparoscopies before diagnosis. 116 respondents underwent surgical treatment. Postoperative data was available for 113 respondents, and 65 % reported either a significant improvement or complete resolution of symptoms. There was no significant difference in age (P = 0.19), timing of diagnosis (P = 0.59) or type of procedure (excision or ablation) (P = 0.13) between respondents who did and did not experience symptomatic relief after surgery. 61 % reported long-lasting symptomatic relief after a median of 1 year, whilst 39 % reported ongoing moderate-severe pain or have undergone further surgery for recurrent symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis is often delayed, due to lack of awareness by patients and healthcare professionals. The diagnosis of DE requires a high index of suspicion and involvement of surgeons trained in laparoscopic liver mobilization. Recurrent symptoms are common following surgical treatment, and international collaborative studies are required to determine the long-term outcomes of this condition.

Endometriotic lung cyst causing catamenial hemoptysis; a case report and review of literature

We report a rare case of an endometriotic lung cyst in a 47-year woman with recurrent catamenial hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) obtained outside the menstruation in October 2019 revealed a cystic lesion (2.5 cm) located in the right inferior lobe near the distal esophagus and the inferior pulmonary vein. Compared to CT abdomen in May 2019, this lesion had increased with a larger volume and a thicker wall. An endometrial lung cyst was suspected as episodes of hemoptysis no longer occurred after initiating hormonal treatment with nomegestrol acetate. Exploratory video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with wedge resection of the cyst was performed. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of an endometriotic cystic lesion. Postoperative course was uneventful with no further symptoms since then.

Thoracic Endometriosis: a Clinical Review and Update of Current and Evolving Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques

Purpose of Review

The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and clinical management of thoracic endometriosis (TE), as well as highlight our personal experience with TE workup and management.

Recent Findings

TE can present in a wide range of clinical manifestations. Without high clinical suspicion, diagnosis can be delayed. Since no specific laboratory testing is available, diagnosis is often based on careful history taking, imaging, and direct visualization of endometrial lesions through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Medical thoracoscopy (MT) may also be a useful tool in the diagnostic workup of TE.

Summary

The diagnosis and management of TE require a multidisciplinary approach and a high index of clinical suspicion. While VATS remains the gold standard for diagnosis, we share our experience using MT to diagnose and manage a case of TE-related hemothorax.

Catamenial pneumothorax due to heterotopic endometriosis in the pericardium

A 46-year-old woman presented with a right pneumothorax at a regular medical examination during menstruation. The pneumothorax resolved without intervention; however, 6 months later, she was referred to our hospital due to chest pain and dyspnoea. A chest X-ray showed grade III pneumothorax and surgery was performed. During surgery, the patient was found to have pleural adhesions around the right upper lung, pores in the diaphragm and a blueberry spot in the pericardium. The margins of the upper lobe and diaphragm were covered with a polyglycolic acid sheet at the operation. Eight days after surgery, she was referred to our hospital again due to massive haemothorax. The reoperation suggested that the aforementioned blueberry spot in the pericardium was the source of bleeding. The spot was resected and shown to be oestrogen and progesterone receptor-positive, providing evidence of heterotopic endometriosis.

Thoracic endometriosis presenting as recurrent pleural effusions

In rare instances, endometrial glandular tissue can implant in the thorax of women suffering from endometriosis. The presentation is variable depending on site of implant and can be a rare cause of hemothorax in women. A 28-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and was found to have a significant right sided hemothorax. The hemothorax was drained but subsequently recurred, with shortness of breath increasing around the time of her menses. Considerable workup was performed and ultimately surgery was required to diagnose her with thoracic endometriosis. This case describes how thoracic endometriosis is a challenging diagnosis and may be under reported in the literature. However, there are key elements of the disease that can prevent delay in diagnosis to reduce pain and suffering.

The Importance of Stromal Endometriosis in Thoracic Endometriosis

Thoracic endometriosis (TE) is a rare type of endometriosis, where endometrial tissue is found in or around the lungs and is frequent among extra-pelvic endometriosis patients. Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is the most common form of TE and is characterized by recurrent lung collapses around menstruation. In addition to histology, immunohistochemical evaluation of endometrial implants is used more frequently. In this review, we compared immunohistochemical (CPE) with histological (CPH) characterizations of TE/CP and reevaluated arguments in favor of the implantation theory of Sampson. A summary since the first immunohistochemical description in 1998 until 2019 is provided. The emphasis was on classification of endometrial implants into glands, stroma, and both together. The most remarkable finding is the very high percentage of stromal endometriosis of 52.7% (CPE) compared to 10.2% (CPH). Chest pain, dyspnea, right-sided preference, and diaphragmatic endometrial implants showed the highest percentages in both groups. No significant association was found between the recurrence rate and the various appearances of endometriosis. Sometimes in CPE (6.8%) and CPH (30.6%) no endometrial implants were identified underlining the importance of sensitive detection of endometriosis during and after surgery. We suggest that immunohistochemical evaluation should become mandatory and will improve diagnosis and classification of the disease.

Minimally invasive treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis: a 15-year single referral center's experience on 215 patients

BACKGROUND

Diaphragmatic endometriosis (DE) is a rare and often misdiagnosed condition. Most of the times it is asymptomatic and due to the low accuracy of diagnostic tests, it is almost always detected during surgery for pelvic endometriosis. Its management is challenging and, until now, there are not guidelines about its treatment.

METHODS

We describe a consecutive series of patients with DE managed by laparoscopy and videothoracoscopy (VATS) in our referral center in a period of 15 years. We developed a flow-chart classifying DE implants in foci, plaques and nodules and proposing an algorithm with the aim of standardizing the surgical approach.

RESULTS

215 patients were treated for DE. Lesions were almost always localized on the right hemidiaphragm (91%), and the endometriotic implants were distributed as: foci in 133 (62%), plaques in 24 (11%) and nodules in 58 patients (27%), respectively. In all cases of isolated pleural involvement, concomitant diaphragmatic hernia or lesions of the thoracic side of the diaphragm VATS was performed, alone or combined with laparoscopy, resulting in a total of 26 procedures. Following the proposed algorithm, specific surgical techniques were identified as the better approaches for the different types of the lesion, such as Argon Beam Coagulation and diathermocoagulation for diaphragmatic foci, peritoneal stripping for plaques, and nodulectomy or full-thickness resection of diaphragm for nodules.

CONCLUSIONS

It is crucial to standardize the surgical approach of DE, according to the type of lesion, thus reducing the rate of under- or over-treatments and intra or postoperative complications. This kind of surgery should be performed in a Referral Center by a gynecologic surgeon with oncogynecologic expertise and skills, with the eventual support of a laparoscopic general surgeon, a specialized thoracic surgeon and a trained anesthesiologist.

A Case of Hemothorax as Manifestation of Thoracic Endometrial Syndrome

Thoracic endometriosis is a rare progression of a mostly benign disease of ectopic endometrial activity involving the pleura and lung. This is a case of a young female who presented with progressive shortness of breath and was found to have significant anemia. Further investigations showed a massive right-sided pleural effusion and ascites. Subsequent thoracentesis and pelvic diagnostic laparoscopy showed a hemorrhagic pleural effusion and ascites, along with dense pelvic adhesions. Pathology was consistent with endometriosis. Patient improved on leuprolide acetate and norethindrone. This case illustrates an important consideration in the differential of a reproductive-age female with new onset shortness of breath and anemia.

Treatment of Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis and Review

BACKGROUND

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue within the chest cavity. Up to 80% of women with TES present with concomitant pelvic endometriosis. The diagnostic-curative path is defined by both thoracic surgeons and gynecologists, consistent with the manifestation of the disease. The aim of the study was to analyze the different approaches to generate an ideal diagnosis-treatment algorithm that can be shared by both specialties.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Scopus for studies that were completed by March 2019 and that included at least 8 patients with TES. Information on preoperative exams, surgical technique, postoperative management, and recurrence of disease was collected for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies including a total of 732 patients were eligible. Almost all of the patients underwent radiologic pelvis investigation (96%; confidence interval [CI], 87%-100%). Videothoracoscopy was the preferred surgical technique (84%; 95% CI, 66%-96%). Intraoperative evaluation revealed the presence of diaphragmatic anomalies in 84% of cases (95% CI, 73%-93%). The overall pooled prevalence of concomitant or staged laparoscopy was 52% (95% CI, 18%-85%). Postoperative hormone therapy was heterogeneous with a pooled prevalence of 61% (95% CI, 33%-86%; I² = 95.6%; P < .01). Recurrence of symptoms was documented in 27% of patients (95% CI, 20%-34%; I² = 54.7%; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

TES should be managed jointly by thoracic surgeons and gynecologists. Chest-abdomen magnetic resonance imaging seems to offer the most details for TES. Combined or staged videothoracoscopy and laparoscopy can provide adequate information to fine-tune proper surgical treatment and postoperative medical therapy.

A chocolate effusion - An unusual cause of elevated adenosine deaminase in the pleural fluid

Background

Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome (TES) is a rare diagnosis characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue in the chest. Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) is thought to be highly specific for tuberculous pleural effusions, particularly when >40 IU/L (international units/liter).

Results

A 36-year-old woman from Cameroon (immigrated 10 years ago) with no past medical history presented to the emergency department with increasing abdominal swelling over months found to have on imaging ascites, a left adnexal lesion, a large right-sided pleural effusion and peritoneal studding. Sampling of the pleural fluid revealed dark brown fluid which on analysis was a non-specific exudate with an adenosine deaminase >100. Exploratory laparotomy by gynecology-oncology revealed a large amount of hemorrhagic ascites, multiple endometriotic implants, and a right ovarian endometrioma. Ultimately the patient was taken for video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) and decortication. The VATS revealed a diaphragmatic tear was seen suggesting the etiology of the pleural fluid was trans-diaphragmatic passage of blood through the defect. There was no evidence of malignancy or granulomas. Stains and subsequent cultures were negative on all specimens for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Discussion

Our case demonstrates a rarity of an ADA >100 IU/L due to TES rather than tuberculosis. In conclusion, ADA analysis, as with any lab test, should be interpreted within clinical context as false positives may occur. Several weeks following presentation the patient was discharged without any intrapleural catheter and near complete expansion of the lung. She was started on leuprolide and medroxyprogesterone and has no recurrent effusion or ascites in over two years since initial presentation.

Extra-pelvic endometriosis: A review

BACKGROUND

Extra-pelvic endometriosis is a rare type of endometriosis, which occurs in a distant site from gynecological organs. The diagnosis of extra-pelvic endometriosis can be extremely challenging and may result in a delay in diagnosis. The main objective of this review was to characterize abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) and thoracic endometriosis (TE).

METHODS

The authors performed a literature search to provide an overview of AWE and TE, which are the major types of extra-pelvic endometriosis.

MAIN FINDINGS

Abdominal wall endometriosis includes scar endometriosis secondary to the surgical wound and spontaneous AWE, most of which occur in the umbilicus or groin. Surgical treatment appeared to be effective for AWE. Case reports indicated that the diagnosis and treatment of catamenial pneumothorax or endometriosis-related pneumothorax (CP/ERP) are challenging, and a combination of surgery and postoperative hormonal therapy is essential. Further, catamenial hemoptysis (CH) can be adequately managed by hormonal treatment, unlike CP/ERP.

CONCLUSION

Evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment of extra-pelvic endometriosis remain immature given the low prevalence and limited quality of research available in the literature. To gain a better understanding of extra-pelvic endometriosis, it would be advisable to develop a registry involving a multidisciplinary collaboration with gynecologists, general surgeons, and thoracic surgeons.

Successful treatment of catamenial hemoptysis by single-incision thoracoscopic left S9 + 10 segmentectomy using indocyanine green injection-assisted targeting

Catamenial hemoptysis is a rare condition. A 28-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of repetitive hemoptysis occurring on the first day of her menstrual period. Chest computed tomography revealed catamenial hemoptysis during her menstrual period. The patient underwent single-incision thoracoscopic left S9 + 10 segmentectomy using indocyanine green injection-assisted targeting. The endometriosis lesions would not be enhanced by perfusion defects during ICG injection due to the lung contusion. Surgical resection with accurate localization of catamenial hemoptysis was a fundamental treatment method. The localization of lesions using indocyanine green effectively enabled a minimally invasive surgery.

Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a 47-Year-Old Woman

Pneumothorax is a condition where air exists in the chest cavity, outside the lung. The causes of pneumothorax are numerous and determining the etiology can aid in treatment and prevent recurrence. We describe a 47-year-old female patient with past medical history of endometriosis who presented to the emergency room with recurrent right sided pneumothorax, its onset correlating with onset of menses. She underwent video assisted thorascopic surgery for a suspected catamenial pneumothorax whereby nodular "chocolate" appearing areas were noted on the middle lobe and multiple similar appearing lesions and fenestrations were noted on the diaphragm. A biologic mesh was affixed to the diaphragm after which mechanical and chemical pleurodesis were performed. She tolerated the procedure well and has been symptom free since. Herein, we review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for catamenial pneumothorax in the hopes of increasing awareness and understanding of this rare cause of spontaneous pneumothorax.

[Haemothorax revealing thoracic endometriosis]

INTRODUCTION

Thoracic endometriosis (TE) is a rare disorder affecting women during their reproductive years. Manifestations of TE include pneumothorax and haemothorax. Treatment is based on surgical and hormonal therapy that aims at eradicating existing endometrial thoracic plaques and to prevent reseeding from pelvic endometriosis.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 36 year-old young woman presenting thoracic endometriosis revealed by a recurring spontaneous, large and isolated right haemothorax. Diagnosis, pathogeny and treatment are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Thoracic endometriosis needs to be considered as a cause of haemothorax in women of childbearing age.

Trans-diaphragmatic Pathologies: Anatomical Background and Spread of Disease on Cross-sectional Imaging

The diaphragm is not only a sheet of muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities: it plays an essential role in ventilation and can act as a gateway for the spread of different disease processes between the abdominal and the thoracic cavity. Careful attention to the appearance of the diaphragm on various imaging modalities is essential to ensure the accurate diagnosis of diaphragmatic disorders, which may be secondary to functional or anatomical derangements.