



What is Precordial Catch Syndrome?

Precordial Catch Syndrome is famously known as Texidor’s twinge or Stitch in the Side or PCS. It is more commonly reportedly experience in children and adolescents than in adults.

It is reported to cause pain in the chest. It is sometimes confused with heart attack due to the fact that it has somewhat similar symptoms experienced leading them to panic and resulting to a further more symptom experienced.

Sometimes it causes inhaling and exhaling which suddenly occurs which will lead to a sensation of cracking or popping in the person’s chest. However, they are both different conditions. It is a syndrome that is benign and of unknown origin which has a characteristics of pain, which last for about thirty minutes or so, in the cardiac apex made upon whenever the person inhales and is mostly relieved through force of deep breathing. In addition to that, it resolves completely and quickly even without treatment given. This kind of syndrome is sometimes under recognized.

Precordial Catch Syndrome History

This kind of syndrome was first named and encountered by Texidor and Miller in the year 1955. The first reported persons that had experienced this kind of syndrome during those times were at the most 10 patients, one of which was Miller, the discoverer.

During the year 1978, the Precordial Catch Syndrome was further elaborated by Bird and Sparrow. By this time, there were 45 patients who suffered from such syndrome. By the year 1981, Pickering had been reported to possess the said syndrome. Then, eight years after that, 1989, Reynolds’ children were reported to have the syndrome.

Precordial Catch Syndrome Symptoms, Signs

Persons who were diagnosed to have the said syndrome were reportedly to manifest the following symptoms:





Anterior chest pain. Also read Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – Symptoms, Exercises, Test, Treatment

Sudden onset

Localized pain

Stabbing pain

Dull pain

Annoying pain

Sharp pain

Pain upon movement

Pain upon breathing

Popping sensation when breathing deeply

Ripping sensation when breathing deeply

Pain which is needle like

Pain last for 30 seconds to 3 minutes

Occurs when the person is at an inactive state or whenever a person is at rest

Muscle spasm. Also read Piriformis Syndrome – Stretches (Exercises), Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis

Muscle cramps.

Pain is exacerbated through breathing deeply

Dull ache after the pain is gone

Momentary visual loss

Blurry vision. Also read Computer Vision Syndrome – Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Eye Care

Sudden resolution

Complete resolution

No other associated symptoms

No other abnormal physical findings

Rare symptoms experienced:

Pallor

Syncope

Near syncope

Paresthesias

Mild headedness

Flushing

Palpitations. Read Tachy Brady Syndrome – Definition, Symptoms, Treatment

Shallow breathing

The pain associated with this kind of syndrome last for about 30 seconds to a maximum of 3 minutes. It may also occur once or twice in a week. The pain becomes further intense whenever the person sits or lies down. In addition to that, it happens most often to persons who are inactive or who has a sedentary lifestyle.

Causes & Risk Factors

The persons who have Precordial Catch syndrome have an unknown etiological cause. However, the ones who discovered this syndrome, way back 1955, who were Texidor and Miller suggests that pain originates in the person’s parietal pleura which is located in the lungs.

Yet, Exeer suggests that pain originates from brief muscle spasm of the intercostals which may be relieved after which the spasm is released.

Also, the pain is does not originates via the cardiac region which makes it different from the heart attack. Another theory of this causative factor that leads to experiencing this syndrome is that it is the result of a nerve being pinched.

Other physician believes that heavy activity and posture can trigger the person to experience. The major at risk with experiencing this kind of syndrome, as mentioned previously, are persons having a sedentary lifestyle.

Diagnosis

Persons who have Precordial Catch syndrome are often diagnosed by an expert physician by:

Careful medical history taking assessment

Physical examination

Radiography

Echocardiography

Electrocardiography

Barium studies

The family needs to reassure that the person having the Precordial Catch syndrome is experiencing the real condition but it is harmless unless it is associated with other disease condition. There is a need to correctly diagnose persons with Precordial catch syndrome so as not to create panic and uncertainty with their love ones and with the patients themselves. Through such health teachings, they are able to gain information with the syndrome that they have.

Treatment

With regards to treating the Precordial Catch syndrome is through following these simple steps:

Whenever the Precordial Catch syndrome happens, you have to breath shallowly

Lie down on the bed with the person’s face turning in a downward position

Take sudden deep breathing, although painful but is good in relieving muscle spasm

There is no need to use any form of medication to relieve this kind of syndrome, as mentioned earlier, this kind of syndrome happens fast and in a short period of time, maximum of three minutes only. When the diagnosis is done correctly, the fear is relieved. The Precordial catch syndrome may or may not interfere with the normal day to day activity.

Life Expectancy

This kind of syndrome called as the Precordial Catch syndrome imposes no danger to any child or teenager. Despite the fact that the symptoms manifested appear quickly, it also disappears as quickly as it appears. Hence, there is no life expectancy of this kind of syndrome.

Their life expectancy will only depend on the type of lifestyle they have and also the condition they are in.

Prevention

Since, mentioned earlier that the risk factor of this kind of syndrome pertains on persons with having sedentary lifestyle. Hence, it is suggested to prevent experiencing the syndrome, to exercise or engage in an active and healthy lifestyle. The person encountering such Precordial catch syndrome needs to be taught that such syndrome happens momentarily and easily goes away. There is absolutely no need for anyone to panic.

References