title: Catamenial pneumothorax.
abstract: Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare entity of spontaneous, recurrent pneumothorax occurring in synchrony with the menstrual cycle. The etiology is not completely known, but in most cases it is associated with thoracic endometriosis and/or diaphragmatic fenestrations. We report a case of a 35-year-old woman with three episodes of catamenial pneumothorax. The surgical findings were thoracic endometriosis and diaphragmatic holes. She underwent resection of the affected part of the diaphragm and pleurodesis via a mini-thoracotomy and videothoracoscopy assistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. dmikrou@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mikroulis
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Didilis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Konstantinou
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Vretzakis
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Bougioukas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome