Retrosternal pain

Synonym: chest pain
German: retrosternaler Schmerz, Brustschmerz

1 Definition

Retrosternal pain or chest pain is a kind of pain that is located behind the breast bone (sternum).

In contrast to chest pain, pain in the female mammary gland is called mastodynia or mammalgia (breast pain).

2 Background

The intensity of retrosternal pain is very variable and can range from an unspecific burning sensation behind the breast bone to severe, excruciating pain.

3 Classification

• Acute retrosternal pain
• Chronic retrosternal pain

4 Causes

The following disorders are possible causes for retrosternal pain:

4.1 Cardiovascular causes

• Angina (ischemic chest pain)
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Aortic stenosis
• Cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM)
• Pericarditis
• Aortic dissection
• Hypertensive crisis

4.2 Pulmonary causes

• Pulmonary embolism
• Pneumothorax
• Pleurisy, Pneumonia
• Pleurodynia

4.3 Abdominal causes

• Acid reflux
• Boerhaave syndrome
• Esophagitis
• Biliary colic
• Gastritis
• Gastroduodenal ulcer
• Pancreatitis
• Mallory–Weiss syndrome

4.4 Orthopedic causes

• Bechterew's disease
• Tietze syndrome
• Osteophytes in the region of the sternum
• SAPHO syndrome
• Bone metastases

4.5 Others

• Masked depression
• Mediastinitis
• Intercostal neuralgia
• Shingles