Catamenial pneumothorax

Background

• Definition: Spontaneous, recurrent pneumothorax in women of reproductive age, occurring in temporal relationship with menses
• Believed to be caused by endometriosis of the pleura
• 3-6% of pneumothoraxes in women
• A form of thoracic endometriosis syndrome

Clinical Features

• Spontanous pneumothorax symptoms <72 hours after menstruation
• Exclusively in women of menstrual age (typically 30–40 years)
• History of endometriosis

Differential Diagnosis

Pneumothorax Types

The pleural cavity is normally a potential space, in which air collects in a pneumothorax.

• Tension pneumothorax
• Spontaneous pneumothorax
  • Catamenial pneumothorax
• Traumatic pneumothorax
  • Iatrogenic pneumothorax

Management

Unstable

• Needle decompresion followed by chest tube insertion

Stable

• Consider hormonal treatment
• Consider surgery

See Also

• Pneumothorax (main)