Disease Information for Costochondritis (Tietze) Syndrome

Costochondritis AKA Tietze Syndrome; Chondropathia Tuberosa; Costochondral Junction Syndrome; Costosternal Chondrodynia; Chest wall pain syndrome; Tietze syndrome is a rare, inflammatory disorder characterized by chest pain and swelling of the cartilage of one or more of the upper ribs (costochondral junction); Onset of pain may be gradual or sudden and may spread to affect the arms and/or shoulders; Tietze syndrome is considered a benign syndrome and, in some cases, may resolve itself without treatment; The exact cause of Tietze syndrome is not known------[NORD website 2005]----------

Costochondritis is a common form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attach to the breast bone, the sternum; The inflammation can involve multiple cartilage areas on both sides of the sternum but usually is on one side only (left) ; The cause(s) of costochondritis is(are) not known and may involve several factors; Possible causes include heredity (genetic predisposition), viruses, and trauma (injury); Costochondritis can be an independent condition by itself or sometimes be a feature of a more widespread disorder; Examples of illnesses that can feature costochondritis include fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn"s disease );Costochondritis should be distinguished from Tietze syndrome, a condition involving the same area of the front of the chest; Costochondritis is not associated with swelling, as opposed to Tietze syndrome where swelling is characteristic; Tietze syndrome is an inflammation of the costochondral cartilages of the upper front of the chest; Patients with Tietze syndrome develop tenderness and swelling over the ribs and cartilage near the breast bone (sternum); Redness, tenderness, and heat can also be present but a localized swelling is the distinguishing finding;

(Edit)