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Catamenial pneumothorax pathophysiology
Introduction
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Overview
Overview
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.[1] How this endometrial tissue reaches the thorax remains enigmatic, although defects in the diaphragm can often be found.[2]
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).[3]
References
References
- ↑ Joseph J, Sahn SA. Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: new observations from an analysis of 110 cases. Am J Med 1996; 100: 164-70. PMID 8629650
- ↑ Alifano M, Roth T, Broet SC, Schussler O, Magdeleinat P, Regnard JF. Catamenial pneumothorax: a prospective study. Chest 2003; 124: 1004-8. PMID 12970030
- ↑ Glynis D. Wallace. Living With Lung And Colon Endometriosis: Catamenial Pneumothorax. Authorhouse, 2005. ISBN 1-4208-8331-3
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]