-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
musculoskeletal system
costochondritis
diagnoses
definition and etiology
definition: Pain and swelling in one or more of the costochondral articulations.
Very closely related to "Tsietze's syndrome".
etiology: In both, the etiology is unknown. Tsietze's disease usually occurs in patients less than 40 years old and strikes both genders equally. In costochondritis, most commonly women are affected and the age group is over 40 years old.
signs and symptoms
Onset of anterior chest pain may be acute or gradual.
Tsietze's:
Pain may radiate to the shoulders or arms.
Pain may be worse sneezing, twisting the chest, coughing, deep breathing.
Swelling: not seen with costochondritis, which may be helpful in discriminating the two.
Usually the second or third articulation is involved in Tsietze's while in costochondritis, the third, fourth or fifth articulations are involved.
costochondritis:
Pain but no swelling: radiation to the shoulder and arms can also occur and can also be worse sneezing, coughing, etc.
Commonly seen in the third, fourth and fifth costochondral joints.
lab findings:
labs are helpful only in ruling out any other disease as the cause of the pain
course and prognosis
The prognosis is good, the disease is self-limiting and usually disappears within 6 months.
differential diagnosis
Cardiac problems.
Abdominal problems.
Musculoskeletal problems.
Thoracic problems.
footnotes