A man whose chest pulsations were visible between his ribs has been featured in the New England Journal of Medicine after tests revealed an unexplained rounded structure near his heart.
The case was shared by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on social media, describing a patient who arrived with two months of chest heaviness followed by two weeks of shortness of breath. Doctors could see pulsations — visible rhythmic movements — between his ribs without any equipment at all. An ultrasound scan (ultrasonography) then picked up a rounded structure sitting close to the heart.
The NEJM published the full details under its Images in Clinical Medicine series, which highlights unusual or instructive cases from medical practice. The journal did not name the patient or the treating hospital.
Cases like this are published to help clinicians recognise patterns they may rarely see.
The NEJM did not release further details about the patient’s diagnosis, treatment, or outcome in the social media post.
—
Key information
- Chest pain or tightness that is new or worsening should be assessed by a doctor — contact your GP or call NHS 111
- Breathlessness that comes on over days or weeks, rather than suddenly, still warrants a same-day call to NHS 111 for guidance
- If you have sudden severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or feel faint, call 999 immediately — do not drive yourself to hospital
- NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone or online
Source: @NEJM