A Pregnant Woman Presenting With Progressively Worsening Dyspnea and Pneumothorax

Abstract

A 29-year-old Ukrainian woman presented to the obstetric clinic at 28 weeks' gestation with pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. She reported progressively worsening dyspnea during her pregnancy and was found to have significant hypoxia with an oxygen saturation of 84% on room air prompting admission for further evaluation. Oxygen saturation improved to 92% on 10 L of supplemental oxygen. On further questioning, she was found to have a history significant for pleurodesis as a treatment for recurrent pneumothoraces and nephrectomy for a benign renal mass several years prior while living in Ukraine.

Complications of lymphangioleiomyomatosis in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

“…Of the case reports, most cases presented with symptoms during pregnancy and were diagnosed with LAM either during or shortly after pregnancy (see Table 1 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ). Six women had diagnoses preceding the pregnancy, 2 of whom did not report any symptoms during the pregnancy.…”

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and pregnancy: a mini-review

“…Treatment with doxycycline, an inhibitor of MMPs, has been investigated in this regard. The case report suggests a potential benefit of doxycycline therapy for patients with LAM [ 24 ], and lung tissues obtained from patients with LAM were found to express high concentrations of MMPS-2 and MMPS-9 [ 55 ]. Doxycycline is effective for the treatment of LAM [ 56 ], but the use of doxycycline during pregnancy has historically been discouraged due to potential adverse effects on the fetal teeth during 16 weeks postconception.…”