Pneumoperitoneum associated with catamenial pneumothorax in women with thoracic endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the pathophysiology of catamenial pneumothorax (CP) due to thoracic endometriosis and support the theory of the transdiaphragmatic passage of air from the genital tract through diaphragmatic perforations caused by endometrial implants.


METHODS
Three case reports.


METHODS
Academic hospital.


METHODS
Three women with pneumoperitoneum concomitant to CP.


METHODS
Thoracic/abdominal computed tomography scans and chest x-rays.


METHODS
Presence of pneumoperitoneum coexisting with CP.


RESULTS
The observation of pneumoperitoneum associated with CP supports the theory of the transdiaphragmatic passage of air, which implies the occurrence of a pneumoperitoneum as an intermediate step.


CONCLUSIONS
Our three cases strongly support the theory of the transdiaphragmatic passage of air in the pathogenesis of CP.
Jablonski
Christine
C
Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. christine.jablonski@htd.aphp.fr
Alifano
Marco
M
Regnard
Jean-François
JF
Gompel
Anne
A
D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists