The precordial catch syndrome is a benign condition that may cause the patient and family great concern.
Features of the precordial catch syndrome:
(1) chest pain in a pediatric patient, less often an adult
(2) sudden episodes of well-localized pain described as sharp, stabbing, shooting, needle-like
located over an intercostal space
(3) typically precordial along the left sternal border or beneath the left breast
(4) pain can occur at rest ("out of the blue") or can occur during exercise
(5) pain does not radiate
(6) the pain is made worse with inspiration
(7) the pain lasts only a few minutes
(8) no other explanation identified
The patient and/or parents may be anxious, often concerned about an underlying heart disorder.
