Pulmonary synovial sarcoma presenting as a pneumothorax during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Synovial sarcoma is a clinically rare, but morphologically well-defined neoplasm, which accounts for approximately 10% of all malignant soft-tissue tumors. The diagnosis can be established with clinical and imaging evaluations together with immunohistochemical, electron microscopy, and molecular genetic studies.


METHODS
We describe a case of primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma presenting as a pneumothorax in a young woman at 34 weeks of gestation. Her persistent symptomatology ultimately led to a video-assisted thoracoscopy and thorascopic decortication. The diagnosis was established by pathology and immunohistochemistry of the cells, which were consistent with primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Malignancies, even those as uncommon as primary synovial sarcoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumothorax during pregnancy.
Esaka
Emmanuel J
EJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. esakajb@yahoo.com
Celebrezze
Jennifer U
JU
Golde
Steven H
SH
Chiossi
Giuseppe
G
Thomas
Ronald L
RL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy