Costochondritis eMedicine

Description: Flowers & Wippermann
Synonyms and related keywords: costochondritis, costal chondritis, costochondral joints, costosternal joints, costal cartilage, chest pain, fibrositis, Tietze syndrome
Background In contrast to myocardial ischemia or infarction, costochondritis is a benign cause of chest pain and is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis. Although the term costochondritis often is used interchangeably with fibrositis and Tietze syndrome, these are distinct diagnoses.
Pathophysiology Costochondritis is an inflammatory process of the costochondral or costosternal joints that causes localized pain and tenderness. Any of the 7 costochondral junctions may be affected, and more than 1 site is affected in 90% of cases. The second to fifth costochondral junctions most commonly are involved.