PULMONARY LYMPHANGIOLEIOMYOMATOSIS - A CASE-REPORT IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMAN TREATED WITH PLEURODESIS AND PROGESTERONE (MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE)

The main problem in the treatment of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosi s, which frequently occurs in the reproductive age, is the control of chylothorax and disease progression. We herein report a case of a 62-y ear-old woman who underwent surgery for recurrent chylothorax. Histolo gic examination of lung and lymph node biopsies demonstrated lymphangi oleiomyomatosis. Thirty-six months after tetracycline pleurodesis and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy, the disease was stable and chylothorax effectively controlled. It would therefore appear that hormonal treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate may be beneficial in postmenopausal women.