Lymphangiomyomatosis: a respiratory illness with an endocrinologic therapy.

Lymphangiomyomatosis should be considered when unexplained dyspnea, pneumothorax, pleural effusion or infiltrative radiographic changes occurs in a woman of childbearing age. Radiographic and pulmonary function peculiarities help in the diagnosis and evaluation of results of treatment. Diagnosis is dependent on lung biopsy and preferably identification of hormonal receptors. Endocrinological manipulation, in this study with medroxyprogesterone, decreased disability, morbidity and progression of this otherwise fatal illness. Early diagnosis and institution of treatment would appear to provide the best result.