Tietze's syndrome in the elderly: description of a case and review of the literature

A case of Tietze's syndrome in a 62-year-old man and a critical up-to-date review of the literature are reported. Although the etiology of the disease is unknown, it has been suggested that recurrent microtrauma of the anterior chest wall may be implied in the development of characteristic degenerative changes involving single or multiple upper costochondral junction. The syndrome described by Tietze has been more commonly found in older people than previously reported and it seems to be no sex or side prevalence. Because of the benign nature of this disease and its excellent prognosis, the treatment is usually symptomatic. The accumulated data stress the importance of a thorough clinical investigation and the need to exclude severe and lifethreatening conditions in the elderly.