Catamenial pneumothorax  From Ask Dr Wiki  Jump to: navigation,
search  Catamenial pneumothorax is a condition of collapsed lung
occurring in conjunction with menstrual periods (catamenial
refers to menstruation), believed to be caused primarily by
endometriosis of the pleura (the membrane surrounding the
lung).[1]     Symptoms and signs  Onset of lung collapse is less
than 72 hours after menstruation. Typically, it occurs in women
aged 30-40 years, but has been diagnosed in young girls as early
as 10 years of age and post menopausal women (exclusively in
women of menstrual age) most with a history of pelvic
endometriosis.   Endometriosis can attach to the lung, forming
chocolate-like cysts. Generally the parietal pleura is involved,
but the lung itself, the visceral layer, the diaphragm, and more
rarely the tracheobronchial tree may also be afflicted[2] . How
this endometrial tissue reaches the thorax remains enigmatic,
although defects in the diaphragm can often be found.[3]  The
cysts can release blood; th