Precordial catch syndrome: Difference between revisions
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== Causes == |
== Causes == |
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The cause of PCS is unknown. Miller and Texidor suggested that the pain may originate in the parietal pleura of the lungs. The pain is most likely not of cardiac origin.<ref name="gumbiner">{{cite journal |author=Gumbiner CH |title=Precordial catch syndrome |journal=Southern Medical Journal |volume=96 |issue=1 |pages=38–41 |year=2003 |month=January |pmid=12602711}}</ref> |
The cause of PCS is unknown. Miller and Texidor suggested that the pain may originate in the parietal [[pleura]] of the lungs. The pain is most likely not of cardiac origin.<ref name="gumbiner">{{cite journal |author=Gumbiner CH |title=Precordial catch syndrome |journal=Southern Medical Journal |volume=96 |issue=1 |pages=38–41 |year=2003 |month=January |pmid=12602711}}</ref> |
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== Treatment == |
== Treatment == |
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Revision as of 03:33, 15 May 2010
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2009) |
| Precordial catch syndrome |
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Precordial Catch Syndrome (PCS), also known as Texidor's twinge, is a common cause of chest pain complaints in children and adolescents. It also occurs, though less frequently, in adults. PCS manifests itself as a very intense, sharp pain, typically at the left side of the chest, which is worse when taking breaths. Patients often think that they are having a heart attack which causes them to panic. This pain typically lasts from 30 seconds to a few minutes. Though some episodes last just a few breaths, in rare cases they can persist for up to 30 minutes. In most cases the pain is resolved quickly and completely.[1]
History
The syndrome was first described and named by Miller and Texidor in 1955.[2] They reported the condition in 10 patients, one being Miller himself. In 1978, PCS was discussed by Sparrow and Bird who reported that 45 healthy patients suffered from it and that it was probably more frequent than generally assumed.[3] PCS has also been reported on by Pickering in 1981[4] and by Reynolds in 1989[5] who did a report of the children in the US with the condition. These constitute the literature available on PCS.
Symptoms
PCS has consistent characteristics. Its symptoms begin with a sudden onset of anterior chest pain on the left side of the chest. The pain is localized and does not radiate like heart attack pain typically does. Breathing in, and sometimes breathing out, often intensifies the pain. Typically this causes the patient to freeze in place and breathe shallowly until the episode passes. Episodes typically last a couple of seconds to three minutes. The frequency of episodes varies by patient, sometimes occurring daily, multiple episodes each day, or years between episodes. This is believed to be localized cramping of certain muscles groups. Intensity of pain can vary from a dull annoying pain to intense pain causing momentary vision loss/bluriness.
Although deep inhalation during a PCS attack will likely cause an increase in pain, many have found that forcing themselves to breathe as deeply as possible will result in a "popping" or "ripping" sensation which quickly and completely resolves the PCS episode.
PCS episodes happen most often while sitting or lying down, and being inactive.
Causes
The cause of PCS is unknown. Miller and Texidor suggested that the pain may originate in the parietal pleura of the lungs. The pain is most likely not of cardiac origin.[1]
Treatment
There is no known cure for PCS. However PCS is also not believed to be dangerous. Therefore PCS is generally not seen as a problem. Perhaps the worst part about PCS is the fear that this chest pain is an indicator of a heart attack or other dangerous condition, so therefore a correct diagnosis of PCS is a relief. PCS should only occasionally interfere with normal activity, and there is no reason to use any form of medication.
References
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2009) |
- ^ a b Gumbiner CH (2003). "Precordial catch syndrome". Southern Medical Journal. 96 (1): 38–41. doi:10.1097/00007611-200301000-00011. PMID 12602711.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "gumbiner" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ MILLER AJ, TEXIDOR TA (1955). "Precordial catch, a neglected syndrome of precordial pain". Journal of the American Medical Association. 159 (14): 1364–5. PMID 13271083.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Sparrow MJ, Bird EL (1978). "'Precordial catch': a benign syndrome of chest pain in young persons". The New Zealand Medical Journal. 88 (622): 325–6. PMID 282484.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Pickering D (1981). "Precordial catch syndrome". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 56 (5): 401–3. PMC 1627421. PMID 7259265.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Reynolds JL (1989). "Precordial catch syndrome in children". Southern Medical Journal. 82 (10): 1228–30. PMID 2678498.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)