Catamenial pneumothorax: A rare cause of recurrent pneumothorax

Abstract

Introduction: Primary spontaneous pneumoth- orax is a common clinical occurrence. Although primary spontaneous pneumothorax is twice as common in men as in women. the recurrence rate is significantly higher in women. the two primary causes for recurrence in women are catamenial pneumothorax and endometriosis related pneumothorax. In the past, catamenial and/or endometriosis related pneumothorax were greatly underdiagnosed. the incidence has increased in the past decade because it is more easily recognized today. spontaneous pneumothorax is a lung compression that occurs spontaneously due to air in the pleural space in a patient with no underlying lung disease. It can occur in men or women but occurs most often in men. It occurs through many different causes. catamenial pneumothorax is a spontaneous pneumothorax that occurs at the time of menses in a woman that allows air to enter the thoracic space. Non-catamenial endometriosis related pneumothorax is a spontaneous pneumothorax