Differential Diagnosis for Brief Burning Chest Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Esophageal spasm: This condition is characterized by sudden, severe, and brief chest pain, often triggered by cold weather, eating hot foods, or other irritants. The pain is usually burning in nature and can be accompanied by difficulty swallowing.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD can cause burning chest pain, especially after eating hot or spicy foods, and can be exacerbated by cold weather. The pain is typically retrosternal and can radiate to the neck or arms.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus can cause burning chest pain, especially when swallowing hot foods or drinks. The pain can be constant or intermittent and may be accompanied by difficulty swallowing.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Acute coronary syndrome (ACS): Although less likely, ACS (including myocardial infarction) can present with atypical symptoms, such as brief burning chest pain, especially in women or younger individuals. It is crucial to consider ACS in the differential diagnosis, as missing it can be fatal.
- Pulmonary embolism (PE): PE can cause sudden, severe chest pain, which may be exacerbated by cold weather or deep breathing. Although the pain is often sharp and stabbing, it can be burning in nature, and it is essential to consider PE in the differential diagnosis due to its high mortality rate.
- Rare diagnoses
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain, which may be burning in nature. The pain can be exacerbated by cold weather or deep breathing and is often accompanied by a pericardial friction rub.
- Pneumothorax: A spontaneous pneumothorax can cause sudden, severe chest pain, which may be burning in nature. The pain is often sharp and stabbing, but it can be burning, especially if the pneumothorax is small.