Causes of spontaneous pneumothorax are legion, including cigarette use, genetic predisposition, or most commonly subpleural bleb rupture. ¹ However, in cases without an apparent cause, a young female patient with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax should routinely be asked about the timing of the pneumothorax in relation to her menstrual periods.  If related, catamenial pneumothorax (CP)— also known as menses-associated pneumothorax—should also be considered.  

CP is commonly defined as 2 or more episodes of spontaneous pneumothoraces occurring within 72 hours of onset of menstruation. ^{2, 3} Classically, CP occurs in females between the ages of 30-40 years with a history of endometriosis and recurrent right-sided pneumothorax.

As for potential mechanisms to explain catamenial pneumothorax, several theories have been proposed, including the passage of air through the vagina and uterus during times of decreased cervical mucus production and peritoneal cavity into the pleural space via diaphragmatic fenestrations. ³ Another potential mechanism is the retrograde migration of endometrial tissue from the uterine lining via the right paracolic gutter into the pleural space through defects in the diaphragm. Endometrial necrosis following monthly cycles may then create air blebs and pneumothorax. ^3,4 Although CP is the most common presentation of thoracic endometriosis, a diagnosis of endometriosis is not required for its diagnosis.^{3, 5}

Initial evaluation of CP often includes chest X-ray, CT, or MRI which may show not only pneumothorax but also diaphragmatic nodules or fenestrations; CA-125 levels may also be elevated in CP due to endometriosis. ^2,3,9  Endometriosis-related CP is diagnosed via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).  

Treatment includes surgical and medical options but, ultimately, the goal is to prevent recurrence which is more likely in CP compared to other pneumothoraces. ^{3, 6} Surgical approaches such as VATS, pleurodesis, and diaphragmatic plication or repair with mesh, may be considered but recurrence rates (8-40%) are common. ^3,7 Treatment options also include hormone-suppression therapy resulting in atrophy of ectopic endometrial glands (eg, estrogen-progesterone oral contraceptives and gonadotropin-releasing-hormone [GNRH] agonists such as leuprolide). ^{2, 7}

Bonus Pearl: Did you know that a condition called catamenial epilepsy also clusters around menstruation due to the diminished protective effect of progesterone against seizures?  ¹⁰

Contributed by Mariam Krikorian, Medical Student (Lincoln Memorial University) Mercy Hospital-St. Louis

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References

1. Sahn, Steven A., Heffer, John E. Spontaneous Pneumothorax. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:858-874. https://www-nejm-org.lmunet.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.1056/NEJM200003233421207?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed.
2. Haga, T., Kumasaka, T., Kurihara, M, etal. Immunohistochemical Analysis of Thoracic Endometriosis. Path Intl, 2013;63(9);429-434. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pin.12089.
3. Visouli, A. N., Zarogoulidis, K., Kougioumtzi, I., etal. Catamenial Pneumothorax. J Thora Dis. 2014;6(4). https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/3205/html.
4. Rousset-Jablonski, C., Alifano, M., Plu-Bureau, G., etal. A. Catamenial Pneumothorax and Endometriosis-Related Pneumothorax: Clinical Features and Risk Factors. Mol Hum Reprod. 2011;26(99);2322-2329. https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/26/9/2322/720483.
5. Korom, S., Canyurt, H., Missbach, A., etal. Catamenial Pneumothorax Revisited: Clinical Approach and Systematic Review of the Literature. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surgery. 2004;128(4);502-508. https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(04)00772-X/fulltext.
6. Haga, T., Kurihara, M., Kataoka, H., etal. Clinical-Pathological Findings of Catamenial Pneumothorax: Comparison Between Recurrent Cases and Non-Recurrent Cases. Ann Thorac. 2014;202(6);202-206. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/atcs/20/3/20_oa.12.02227/_article.
7. Leong, A. C., Coonar, A. S., Lang-Lazdunski, L. L. Catamenial Pneumothorax: Surgical Repair of the Diaphragm and Hormone Treatment. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006;88(6). https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/10.1308/003588406X130732.
8. Marjański, T., Sowa, K., Czapla, A., etal. Catamenial Pneumothorax – A Review of the Literature. Polish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2016;13(2);117-121. https://www.termedia.pl/Catamenial-pneumothorax-a-review-of-the-literature,40,27920,0,1.html.
9. Bagan, P., Le Pimpec Barthes, F., Assouad, J, etal. Catamenial Pneumothorax: Retrospective Study of Surgical Treatment. Ann Thorac. 2022;75(22);378-381. https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(02)04320-5/fulltext.
10. Herzog, Andrew. Catamenial Epilepsy: Definition, Prevalence, Pathophysiology and Treatment. Elsevier Sci. 2008;17;151-159. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.lmunet.idm.oclc.org/18164632/.

 

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