Shortness of breath in a young lady, rare case report of thoracic endometriosis

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Endometrial glandular tissue can implant in the thorax of women suffering from endometriosis. The clinical presentation is depends on site of implantation. Complications include pneumothorax, pneumohemothorax or hemothorax. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31 year old woman with history of infertility presented with shortness of breath and was found to have a significant right sided pneumohemothorax. Drainage was done followed by chemical pleurodesis using bleomycin with resolution of symptoms on her follow up. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Thoracic endometriosis tend to present with chronic or sub-acute symptoms which are non-specific symptoms leading to late diagnosis. Video Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery offer both diagnostic and therapeutic in thoracic endometriosis. However in limited settings chemical pleurodesis can be carried out done to prevent recurrence of shortness of breath due to thoracic endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Therefore, clinical suspicion of thoracic endometriosis in evaluation of shortness of breath in a young lady with history of infertility or pelvic surgery is indispensable.