Open Access
Problem based review: Pleuritic Chest Pain
Author(s) -
RW Lee,
Hodgson Le,
Jackson Mb,
Nicholas G Adams
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.14
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0571
Subject(s) - medicine , chest pain , intensive care medicine , surgery
Pleuritic pain, a sharp discomfort near the chest wall exacerbated by inspiration is associated with a number of pathologies. Pulmonary embolus and infection are two common causes but diagnosis can often be challenging, both for experienced physicians and trainees. The underlying anatomy and pathophysiology of such pain and the most common aetiologies are presented. Clinical symptoms and signs that may arise alongside pleuritic pain are then discussed, followed by an introduction to the diagnostic tools such as the Wells’ score and current guidelines that can help to select the most appropriate investigation(s). Management of pulmonary embolism and other common causes of pleuritic pain are also discussed and highlighted by a clinical vignette.