Differential Diagnosis for Left Back Pain when Breathing In

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Musculoskeletal strain: This is often the most common cause of back pain, especially if it's exacerbated by breathing in. The pain can be due to strain in the muscles or ligaments in the back.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Precordial catch syndrome: This condition causes sharp pains in the chest or back that can worsen with deep breathing. It's relatively common and usually benign.
  • Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone can cause pain that worsens with breathing or movement.
  • Pulmonary issues (e.g., pneumonia, pleurisy): Infections or inflammation of the lung tissue or the lining around the lungs can cause pain that worsens with deep breathing.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs can cause sudden, severe pain that worsens with deep breathing. It's a medical emergency.
  • Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung can cause sharp chest or back pain that worsens with breathing.
  • Aortic dissection: A tear in the aorta can cause severe, tearing pain in the back or chest that can radiate to the abdomen.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe back pain that radiates to the abdomen and can worsen with breathing or movement.
  • Sickle cell crisis: Individuals with sickle cell disease can experience episodes of severe pain, including back pain, due to sickling of red blood cells.
  • Spinal infection or tumor: Although rare, infections or tumors of the spine can cause back pain that worsens with movement or breathing.