Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for catamenial hemoptysis.

Abstract

Catamenial hemoptysis is a rare condition, and only 36 cases have been reported since the first published case. We describe a woman with catamenial hemoptysis recurring over 8 years. The lesion was diagnosed using chest CT scan during menses and was also visualized clearly via thoracoscopy. The patient was treated successfully with a partial resection of the lung using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and has been asymptomatic for 14 months since the operation. We suggest that VATS for catamenial hemoptysis is a more effective treatment than medical therapy.