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The patient is a 16-year-old male who presents with difficulty breathing, pain in his throat, difficulty swallowing, and pleuritic chest pain. He reports that the symptoms began “a couple of hours” earlier. There is no history of trauma, choking, or recent dental procedure.
The patient looks well, and is quiet and not toxic. Pulse is 75, O2sat 94; there is no fever. Chest is normal, with bilateral air entry. Assessment is hindered by the patient’s inability to take deep breaths, however.
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16-year-old male experiencing chest and throat pain
Nahum Kovalski, BSc, MDCM
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