An unusual cause of chest pain in an adolescent presenting to the emergency department.

Chest pain as a chief complaint is very common in most emergency departments. While well defined and numerous causes of chest pain in adults are previously described, the adolescent presenting with chest pain raises the possibilities of other causes. Previously undiscovered congenital anomalies are rare as causes of pain in this age group. A case of coarctation of the aorta, previously undetected in a teenager, is presented. The signs of congenital heart disease are usually present on history and physical examination, which can lead the emergency physician to the appropriate diagnosis.