Hurts on left side of chest when breathing
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Causes of Left-Sided Chest Pain When Breathing
Experiencing pain on the left side of the chest when breathing can be alarming. This symptom can arise from various underlying conditions, ranging from musculoskeletal issues to more serious pulmonary problems. Below, we explore some potential causes based on recent case studies and research.
Musculoskeletal Causes: Rib Lesions and Swelling
One potential cause of left-sided chest pain that worsens with breathing is a musculoskeletal issue, such as a rib lesion. A case study described a 26-year-old man who experienced pain in the left side of his chest for nine months, which intensified with respiration and movement. Examination revealed localized tender swelling on the lower part of the left side of the chest, and imaging showed a lytic lesion in the left eighth rib1. Such conditions can cause significant discomfort and require medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Pulmonary Causes: Pneumothorax
Another possible cause is a pneumothorax, which is the presence of air in the pleural space that can lead to lung collapse. A 19-year-old athlete presented with sharp left-sided chest pain that worsened with inspiration and while lying on his left side. Physical examination and imaging confirmed a small pneumothorax in the left hemithorax2. This condition can be managed conservatively in mild cases, but severe instances may require more intensive interventions.
Epipericardial Fat Necrosis
Epipericardial fat necrosis is a less common but notable cause of acute chest pain that worsens with breathing. A 39-year-old woman experienced acute chest pain predominantly on the left side of her thorax. Despite normal physical examination and routine tests, imaging revealed epipericardial fat necrosis as the underlying cause3. This condition is self-limiting but can mimic more serious cardiac or pulmonary issues, necessitating thorough evaluation.
Infectious Causes: Complications from Typhoid Fever
Infectious diseases can also lead to chest pain. For instance, a case of typhoid fever complicated by cholecystitis presented with chest pain on the left side, both anteriorly and posteriorly. The patient exhibited reduced chest movement on the left side and faint breath sounds, indicating a possible pleural involvement4. Such cases highlight the importance of considering infectious etiologies in the differential diagnosis.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is another critical condition that can present with left-sided chest pain exacerbated by breathing. A 44-year-old man reported persistent left lateral chest pain that increased with deep breathing and positional changes. Although he did not exhibit other common symptoms like shortness of breath or cough, the clinical presentation raised suspicion for PE, which requires prompt medical attention5.
Conclusion
Left-sided chest pain that worsens with breathing can stem from various causes, including musculoskeletal issues, pneumothorax, epipericardial fat necrosis, infectious diseases, and pulmonary embolism. Accurate diagnosis often requires a combination of physical examination, imaging, and sometimes laboratory tests. If you experience such symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Uncommon cause for chest pain
Chest pain due to a radioluscent lytic lesion in the left eighth rib is a rare cause, but if the patient has a history of trauma, weight loss, or loss of appetite, it may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Case ReportPrimary spontaneous pneumothorax in a track athlete.
A 19-year-old track athlete experienced a primary spontaneous pneumothorax, which resolved itself conservatively and allowed the athlete to return to light activity and full competition.
Case ReportA 39-year-old otherwise healthy female with acute chest pain
Clinical introduction An otherwise healthy 39-year-old female visited our emergency department because of acute chest pain worsening on breathing. The pain was more prominent on the left side of the thorax. Physical examination, routine laboratory testing and the ECG were normal. Troponin and d-dimer were in the normal range. Routine chest radiography and subsequently chest CT were performed (figure 1). Question What is the most likely cause of the acute chest pain? Acute myocardial infarction Epipericardial fat necrosis Pneumonia Pulmonary infarction For the question see page 540 For the answer see page 547
Case Report
Rigorous JournalA CASE OF TYPHOID FEVER COMPLICATED WITH CHOLECYSTITIS
Typhoidal fever combined with cholecystis is a severe and potentially fatal condition, with a high leukocyte count and no glycogenic reaction.
Case ReportImages in clinical medicine. Lung herniation with coughing.
A 67-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with pain in the left side of the chest that had begun 10 days earlier after an episode of severe coughing. Computed tomography of the chest revealed lung herniation through a left lower intercostal space laterally.
Case ReportRigorous JournalMALES AND FEMALES
The patient developed blood-stained sputum after a post-operative procedure for a pulmonary infection, with partial collapse of the lower lobe of the left lung.
Case Report
Highly CitedPosttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia
Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a common cause of abdominal pain, breathlessness, and fever in patients with a history of blunt chest trauma.
Case ReportAn Unusual Cause of Chest Pain and Dyspnea in an Elderly: Giant Intrathoracic Haital Hernia
A giant hiatal hernia can cause shortness of breath and chest pain in elderly patients, making it an unusual cause of these symptoms.
Case ReportA case of giant hiatal hernia in an elderly patient: When spleen, stomach, duodenum and colon slide into thorax- A rare cause of dyspnea and chest pain
A giant hiatal hernia, containing the stomach, duodenum, colon, and spleen, can cause shortness of breath and chest pain in elderly patients.
Case Report