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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will conduct a physical exam to diagnose costochondritis. He or she will ask you to describe your pain and what influences it. The pain of costochondritis can be very similar to the pain associated with heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal problems and osteoarthritis. Your doctor will feel along your breastbone for areas of tenderness or swelling.
Costochondritis generally can't be seen on chest X-rays or other imaging tests used to see inside your body. Sometimes your doctor orders these tests or others to rule out other conditions.
- Proulx AM, et al. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician. 2009;80:617.
- Mercier LR. Costochondritis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/173904979-4/924114114/2088/162.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00012-5--sc0235_3245. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Stulbarg MS, et al. Symptoms of respiratory disease and their management. In: Mason, RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: W.B. Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/173904979-4/924114114/1288/249.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50033-1--cesec23_1578. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Meisel JL. Diagnostic approach to chest pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Phillips K, et al. Treatment of musculoskeletal pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Boulanger BL. Costochondritis. In: Garfunkel LC, et al. Pedatric Clinical Advisor. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03506-4..10078-1--s0200&uniq=174188909&isbn=978-0-323-03506-4&sid=925053234#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03506-4..10078-1%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-03506-4. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 5, 2009.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 4, 2009.
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