Dyspnea and Back Pain in a 24-yr-old Man

History of Present Illness

A 24-yr-old man comes to the emergency department (ED) because of sudden onset of shortness of breath and back pain. Yesterday, the patient was completing a 2-mile run, which he does 2 times/wk, when he suddenly experienced shortness of breath and sharp pain in his spine and on the right side of his back. The pain is constant, mild, and nonradiating and does not worsen during movement. His shortness of breath continued throughout the night and caused difficulty sleeping. The shortness of breath is worse this morning, prompting him to come to the ED.




Patient 007