Pulmonary lymphoangioleiomyomatosis during pregnancy. Case report

Pulmonary lymphoangioleiomyomatosis is a rare pathology that develops in women of reproductive age and is characterized by a 'benign' proliferation of lymphatic vessels and smooth muscles of the lungs and abdomen. A spontaneous pneumothorax is the first pathologic sign, followed by respiratory insufficiency. This is the report of a study of lymphoangioleiomyomatosis in a 31-year-old patient at 19 weeks of gestation. The patient objected to therapeutic abortion at 23 weeks of gestation, so intensive care was required at a thoracic surgery department. Owing to a worsening of the clinical symptomatology, an elective caesarean section was performed at 29 weeks of gestation, leading to the birth of a 1200 g male newborn, alive and viable. After delivery, the mother slowly regained her breathing capacity and was discharged in fairly good health. In conclusion, these cases are to be dealt with at specialized centers because both mother and infant need prolonged intensive therapy.