Catamenial pneumothorax refers to a spontaneous pneumothorax that occurs in a woman associated with menstruation.
Catamenial = from the Greek katamenia = menses, monthly flow
Clinical features:
(1) female gender, of child-bearing age
(2) occurrence of a spontaneous pneumothorax
(3) associated with menstruation (occurs within 48-72 hours of onset)
(4) exclusion of other causes
The condition may be recurrent. Prevention of future episodes may involve:
(1) suppression of ovulation with oral contraception
(2) surgical menopause with bilateral oophorectomy
(3) bilateral pleurodesis
