Titz syndrome was described in 1921 by the German surgeon A. Titz as a pseudotumor of the ends of the ribs, accompanied by pain.
One reason for the late diagnosis is that doctors often forget or
they don’t know that there is Titz syndrome. Its symptoms are similar to significant
number of diseases according to symptoms. Sometimes symptoms are mistaken for manifestations.
osteochondritis, osteomyelitis, mastopathy, angina pectoris, intercostal neuralgia,
peptic ulcer, gastritis and pleuropneumonia.
There is no single and final opinion of doctors regarding the causes of the syndrome, however, a large number of patients have previously identified episodes of infectious diseases, severe physical exertion, severe coughing and malnutrition. A few days after the onset of the disease, dystrophic disorders develop in the costal cartilage, which are characterized by a change in the location and size of the chondrocytes. The main substance is anesthetized, sequestration sites appear, as a result of which metaplasia occurs, which ends with calcification and sclerosis.
Titz syndrome is characterized by the presence of benign reversible edema
costal cartilage, causing pain. Most often, the disease is observed in athletes and people engaged in heavy physical work. In most cases, costal cartilage is affected on one side and is localized in the left chest area. Titz syndrome can develop both gradually and acutely. Sometimes swelling is preceded by pain in the joint of the sternum or shoulder girdle. The main manifestations of the disease are pulling pain associated with damage to the periosteum. As a rule, the pain has a clear localization, but sometimes it can radiate along the anterior chest wall and neck. In the area of the lesion focus, tonic disorders of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck are observed. Pain sensations intensify with increased emotional and physical stress. Skin changes in the affected area and enlarged lymph nodes are not observed. At the anterior costal end, a spindle-shaped dense swelling is indicated. In addition to local manifestations of the syndrome, the disease manifests itself in the form of a vegetative-irritative syndrome.
The general condition is not disturbed, but the pain can persist for several weeks in patients who are diagnosed with Titz syndrome. Treatment consists of taking anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs. A good effect is obtained by conducting local thermal procedures, as well as the use of hydrocortisone injections and local novocaine blockade. Symptomatic therapy involves a complete and balanced diet, enriched with vitamins and minerals. Titz syndrome is well treatable with absorbable drugs. In the acute form of the disease, bed rest is recommended . You should limit sports and physical activity. Effectively balneological treatment in mud spas.
Titz syndrome develops in both very young and elderly patients. Sometimes the disease is observed against the background of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The disease proceeds in the form of irregular acute attacks, which can last up to several days. Over the course of several months, painful attacks gradually pass by themselves, however, individual cases of the disease can have a long course. Despite the pain, the syndrome does not pose a threat to the life and health of the patient. The causes of pain that occur when coughing or sneezing are varied. If their cause is Titz syndrome, then there is no cause for concern.