Long-Term Hormonal Treatment for Recurrent Catamenial Pneumothorax

Abstract

Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare complication of endometriosis. Although fatal, no long-term therapies have been revealed to be efficacious in preventing this disorder. This report discusses two cases of catamenial pneumothorax managed with norethindrone acetate over an extended period of time. The patients responded well without recurrence of pneumothorax during treatment. While current therapies are generally used for a six month to one year period, we present a long-term, highly efficacious, and inexpensive treatment for catamenial pneumothorax in patients with endometriosis.