The patient elected for surgery to decrease risk of recurrent pneumothorax. A right VATS, right upper lobe wedge resection, right partial diaphragmatic excision, chemical (doxycycline) and mechanical pleurodesis were performed. Intraoperatively, the patient was noted to have chocolate-colored nodules of the parietal pleura, and right hemidiaphragm, and scarring of the apical segment of the right upper lobe. These specimens were sent to pathology, and presence of thoracic endometriosis was confirmed on histology. The patient was discharged with oral contraceptive pills.

This case was submitted with supervision and input from:

Soni C. Chawla, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Radiological Sciences
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center    

Pathology slides and input were provided by:

Corina Kwan, M.D.
Department of Pathology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center