What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe the challenges in diagnosing and managing thoracic endometriosis in an inoperable patient.

April 4, 2026

Thoracic endometriosis in an inoperable patient

Key Points

To describe the challenges in diagnosing and managing thoracic endometriosis in an inoperable patient.
Reported a case of a woman in her 30s with thoracic endometriosis diagnosed through imaging.
Administered hormonal treatment with progestin.
Monitored changes in lesion size via follow-up CT scans.
Follow-up CT showed minimal change in the lesion's size.
Central cavitation within the lesion was observed, complicating treatment considerations.
The mass mimicked malignant tumours, presenting diagnostic challenges.

Abstract

In this case report, we present a case of a woman in her 30s who was diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis presenting as a large pulmonary mass. Hormonal treatment progestin (synthetic form of progesterone) was started. The patient was deemed technically inoperable due to anatomical constraints. Follow-up CT showed little change in the lesion’s size but revealed central cavitation within the lesion due to its connection to a posterobasal bronchus presenting an additional therapeutic dilemma. This case highlights the diagnostic and treatment challenges associated with atypical thoracic masses that mimic malignant tumours particularly in the context of inoperable patients.

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