Thoracoscopic treatment of recurrent catamenial pneumothorax

Introduction: Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by the recurrent occurrence of pneumothorax during or around the menstrual period. The pathophysiology of catamenial pneumothorax is not well understood, but is thought to be related to the presence of endometrial tissue in the pleural cavity. Case Presentation: A 42-year-old woman was referred to our outpatient department for further thoracic surgical treatment. She already had two previous episodes of pneumothorax that occurred during her menstrual period. A chest X-ray revealed a right-sided pneumothorax and she was admitted to the hospital where a chest tube was placed to treat the pneumothorax. CT scan revealed the presence of endometrial tissue under the right diaphragm. The patient underwent a total laparoscopic hysterectomy to remove the source of endometrial tissue. The subdiaphragmatic endometrial tissue was also removed. She subsequently underwent thoracoscopic treatment to treat the pneumothorax. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to review the clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options for catamenial pneumothorax. In addition, the study highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of catamenial pneumothorax, involving pulmonologists, gynecologists, and thoracic surgeons. Further studies are needed to optimize the management of this rare condition.