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Intercostal neuralgia

Condition Overview:

Intercostal neuralgia is pain affecting the nerves which emerge from the spinal cord and run along the spaces between the ribs to the front of the body. This form of neuralgia affects the left side more than the right, is much more common in women than in men, and occurs generally in enfeebled states of health. It might be mistaken for pleurisy or some inflammatory affection of the lungs; but the absence of any chest symptoms, its occurrence independently of the acts of respiration, and other considerations well establish the distinction. The specially painful points are chiefly at the commencement of the nerve as it issues from the spinal canal, and at the extremities towards the front of the body, where it breaks up into filaments which ramify in the skin. This form of neuralgia is occasionally the precursor of an attack of shingles (Herpes zoster) as well as a result of it.

Neuralgia is a term used to express a pain of varying character in the course of a nerve or its branches, in which there is no structural change. The pain is intermittent or remittent in character, and tends to shift from place to place. There are frequently painful points (points douloureux) in the course of the nerve. Intercostal neuralgia is a common form ofi neuralgia, especially in anemic and hysterical women, the middle intercostal nerves of the left side suffering more frequently than the right. There is commonly a dull pain, with paroxysms of a stabbing character at intervals. Painful points are located under the angle of the scapula, beside the vertebra, and at the middle of the ribs. Expansion of the chest increases the pain; hence respiration is shallow. Clinical manifestations of this disease are frequent pains in one or several intercostal spaces, sometimes with a belt-like distribution. The pain, which is distributed along the costal region, is intensified with coughing or deep breathing, and is characterized by a sharp pricking or electric shock sensation. In severe cases the pain may radiate to the lumbo-dorsal region of the affected side, with hyperesthesia of the skin of the corresponding area and tenderness on pressure at the borders of the ribs.

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Intercostal neuralgia. This signs and symptom information for Intercostal neuralgia has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Intercostal neuralgia signs or Intercostal neuralgia symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Intercostal neuralgia may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Intercostal neuralgia symptoms. The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Intercostal neuralgia includes those listed below. Note that Intercostal neuralgia symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Intercostal neuralgia signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor:

• Left side pain
• Left sided back pain
• Episodic pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Paralysis
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle atrophy