Tietze's syndrome: a critical review.

A critical review of Tietze's syndrome and the relevant literature to date is presented. The disease has been characterized as a tender, non-suppurative swelling in the upper costosternal region. The etiology and pathology of the disease are still unknown. In the past decade new knowledge concerning rheumatic diseases affecting the anterior chest wall has modified our approach to this condition. Tietze's syndrome could be more a part of seronegative disease than has been previously recognized, even if the existence of this condition as an entity cannot be totally denied.