Differential Diagnosis for Symptoms Worse with Inspiration

• Single most likely diagnosis:
  • Pneumonia: This condition often presents with symptoms that worsen with deep breathing or inspiration, due to the inflammation and infection of lung tissue.
• Other Likely diagnoses:
  • Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs, can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with inspiration, known as pleuritic chest pain.
  • Pulmonary embolism: While not always pleuritic, pulmonary embolism can cause sudden onset of chest pain that worsens with inspiration due to the blockage of an artery in the lungs.
  • Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone can cause chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or movement.
• Do Not Miss diagnoses:
  • Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung can cause sudden, severe chest pain that worsens with inspiration. It's a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
  • Cardiac tamponade: Fluid accumulation in the sac around the heart can compress the heart and cause chest pain that worsens with inspiration, leading to a life-threatening condition if not promptly treated.
  • Aortic dissection: A tear in the aorta's inner layer can cause severe, tearing chest pain that can worsen with inspiration, and is a medical emergency.
• Rare diagnoses:
  • Diaphragmatic rupture: A tear in the diaphragm can cause chest and abdominal pain that worsens with inspiration, often due to trauma.
  • Mediastinitis: Inflammation of the tissues in the mediastinum, which includes the heart, large airways, esophagus, and other structures, can cause chest pain that worsens with inspiration, often due to infection.