Differential diagnosis

Common causes include ^a  

• viral or idiopathic
• pneumonia
• chest wall trauma
• cancer 

Why?

Common causes of pleuritic pain are viral or idiopathic and PE

Causes of pleuritic pain	% (95% CI)
viral or idiopathic a	46% (39% to 54%)
pulmonary embolism	21% (15% to 27%)
pneumonia	8% (4% to 12%)
other (chest wall trauma, cancer, SLE, TB)	25% (18% to 31%)

Common causes of severe pleuritic pain are pneumonia and PE

Causes of severe pleuritic pain	% (95% CI)
broncho- or lobar pneumonia b	65% (52% to 78%)
PE	29% (17% to 42%)
chest injury	6% (0% to 12%)