What disorder of the chest best describes his symptoms?

Question

A 25-year-old accountant presents to your clinic, complaining of intermittent lower right-sided chest pain for several days. He describes it as knifelike and states it only lasts for 3 to 5 seconds, taking his breath away. He states he feels like he has to breathe shallowly to keep it from recurring. The only thing that makes it better is lying quietly on his right side. It is much worse when he takes a deep breath. He has taken some Tylenol and put a heating pad on his side but neither has helped. He remembers that 2 weeks ago he had an upper respiratory infection with a severe hacking cough. He denies any recent trauma. His past medical history is unremarkable. His parents and siblings are in good health. He has recently married, and his wife has a baby due in 2 months. He denies any smoking or illegal drug use. He drinks two to three beers once a month. He states that he eats a healthy diet and runs regularly, but not since his recent illness. He denies any cardiac, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal symptoms. On examination he is lying on his right side but appears quite comfortable. His temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respirations are unremarkable. His chest has normal breath sounds on auscultation. Percussion of the chest is unremarkable. During palpation the ribs are nontender.

A) Pericarditis
B) Chest wall pain
C) Pleural pain
D) Angina pectoralis

Answer 1

C) Pleural pain

This pain is sharp and knifelike and occurs over the affected area of pleura. Breathing deeply usually makes the pain worse, whereas lying quietly on the affected side makes the pain better. Pleurisy often occurs from inflammation due to an infection, neoplasm, or autoimmune disease.