title: Management of thoracic endometriosis: single institution experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thoracic endometriosis is a relatively rare type of endometriosis and includes catamenial pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemoptysis, and presence of intrathoracic endometriotic nodules. We want to clarify and resume the most appropriate management of this pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed all the cases of thoracic endometriosis diagnosed and followed up in our Unit from 2005 to 2013. This search revealed five women, with a mean age of 34.5 (26-44). Four had previous history of endometriosis or severe dysmenorrhea. One patient complained of chronic shoulder pain with diaphragmatic implants, another one presented catamenial hemoptysis, and three women suffered from catamenial pneumothorax, with right-side preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients underwent surgery and all of them were treated with GnRH agonists at least during 6 month referring improvement in symptoms. After 1-8 years follow-up, all these patients remain asymptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimal management of thoracic endometriosis needs further evaluation but the combined approach by hormonal therapy and surgery could be the best option.
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: macuduyos@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Duyos
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Carrasco
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zapardiel
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Santiago
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Catamenial hemothorax; Catamenial pneumothorax; Recurrent pneumothorax; Shoulder pain; Thoracic endometriosis