Thoracic endometriosis syndrome is strongly associated with severe pelvic endometriosis and infertility

Abstract

Study objective: To evaluate the clinical and surgical features of thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) represented by catamenial pneumothorax and pelvic endometriosis and to describe their association with infertility.

Design: Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification: II-2).

Setting: Academic tertiary referral endometriosis center.

Patients: Seven patients who had undergone surgery because of thoracic and pelvic endometriosis between 2004 and 2010.

Interventions: Thoracic and pelvic exploration and treatment and fertility treatment.

Measurements and main results: Concurrently, thoracic and pelvic endometriosis, and subsequent fertility were determined during long-term follow-up after combined surgical and pharmacologic interventions. The most frequent thoracic finding was diaphragmatic implants. Except for 1 patient with recurrent pleurodesis at 1 month after video-assisted thoracoscopy, no patients experienced recurrence of thoracic symptoms during a median (range) follow-up of 31.4 (1-61) months. Severe pelvic endometriosis was diagnosed in 6 patients with notable urologic and gastrointestinal tract involvement. Only 1 patient with catamenial pneumothorax had no macroscopic pelvic lesions. There was a considerable delay between the onset of pelvic symptoms and diagnosis. Median postoperative follow-up was 31.5 (7-84) months. Most patients who tried to conceive had primary infertility.

Conclusion: Thoracic endometriosis syndrome, represented by catamenial pneumothorax, was strongly associated with severe pelvic endometriosis and a high rate of infertility. Inasmuch as many patients with thoracic endometriosis syndrome are treated by thoracic surgeons using video-assisted thoracoscopy, it is desirable to involve an experienced gynecologist who can diagnose and treat concurrent pelvic endometriosis.