Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND:Thoracicendometriosissyndrome isa rare constellation of different pathological entities arising from intrathoracicendometriosis. ReportsfromcentersinAfricaare scanty.Varyingtheorieshavebeenproposedbutnonesatisfactorily explainsthevaryingclinicalmanifestations. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographics, pathological spectrum,andoutcomeoftreatmentofpatientsseenatasingle centreinWestAfricawithintrathoracicendometriosis. METHODS:TwelvewomenwhowereseenatGhana’sNational Cardiotharacic Centrewithintrathoracicendometriosisfrom 2004–2012wereretrospectivelyreviewed. RESULTS:Theagerangewasfrom24-39yearswithameanof32 ±5years. Pelvic endometriosiswasconfirmedin8(66.7%)of the patients, 2 (16.7%) had ectopic endometrial tissue at the umbilicusandone(16.7%)hadectopicendometrialtissueatthe monspubis.Seven(58.3%)ofthepatientshadundergoneprior uterine surgery before the clinical onset of thoracic endometriosis. The right hemithorax was involved in all 12 (100%)patientsstudied.Pneumothoraxwaspresentinsix(50%) women,hemothoraxinfive(41.7%)andhemopneumothoraxin one(8.3%).Threeofthefourpatientswhobenefitedfromvideo assisted thoracoscopy had abrasive pleurodesis followed by hormonal therapy. The rest of the patients had chemical pleurodesiswithorwithouthormonaltherapy. CONCLUSION:Thoracicendometriosismaybemoreprevalent inWestAfricathanpreviouslybelieved.Outcomeoftreatmentis satisfactory usinga multidisciplinaryapproach.WAJM2013; 32(4): 302–306.