Pleuritic chest pain

Pleuritic chest pain is a type of pain that is characterized by a sharp, stabbing sensation in the chest that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It is associated with the inflammation of the pleura, the two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the inner chest wall. Pleuritic chest pain is a common symptom of various medical conditions, making its diagnosis and management important in clinical practice.

Causes

Pleuritic chest pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that leads to the inflammation of the pleural layers.
• Pulmonary embolism: A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, often caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or other parts of the body.
• Viral pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura caused by a viral infection.
• Rib fracture: A break in one of the ribs can cause sharp pain that is exacerbated by deep breathing or coughing.
• Lung cancer: A malignant tumor in the lungs can lead to pleuritic chest pain if the cancer involves the pleura.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of the pleura.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of pleuritic chest pain is a sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that typically worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Other symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever, if the pain is due to an infection
• A general feeling of being unwell

Diagnosis

Diagnosing the cause of pleuritic chest pain involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, followed by diagnostic tests such as:

• Chest X-ray: To look for signs of pneumonia, lung cancer, or other conditions affecting the lungs.
• CT scan: Provides detailed images of the lungs and can help identify pulmonary embolism or other abnormalities.
• Blood tests: To check for signs of infection or inflammation.
• Ultrasound: Can be used to detect pleural effusions (fluid in the pleural space).

Treatment

Treatment of pleuritic chest pain depends on the underlying cause. Some common treatments include:

• Antibiotics: For bacterial pneumonia or other infections.
• Anticoagulants: For pulmonary embolism, to prevent further blood clots.
• Pain relief: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve the pain associated with pleuritic chest pain.
• Corticosteroids: For inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases.

Prevention

Preventing pleuritic chest pain involves managing the underlying conditions that can lead to pleura inflammation. This may include:

• Getting vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.
• Avoiding smoking, which can increase the risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases.
• Managing chronic conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, to reduce the risk of pleuritis.