Case history
Case history #1
A 45-year-old woman presents with constant chest pain that is worsened by movement and deep inspiration. The pain started gradually several weeks ago and has been worsening over the past few days. She denies any shortness of breath on exertion and feels otherwise well. She has tenderness over the right third and fourth costochondral junctions. The rest of her examination is unremarkable.
Case history #2
A 50-year-old man presents to the emergency department with worsening left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The pain is worse when taking a deep breath. He describes shortness of breath due to the pain. His examination is unremarkable except for tenderness on palpation of the left fourth and fifth costochondral joints.
Other presentations
Chest pain may be acute and severe. Pain in the lower costal cartilages may mimic intra-abdominal disease. If recurrent, patients may present repeatedly to the emergency department.[3]
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