J Korean Med Sci.  2002 Jun;17(3):423-425. 10.3346/jkms.2002.17.3.423.

A Case of Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition Disease Presenting as an Acute Polyarthritis

• Song JS
• Lee YH
• Kim SS
• Park W

• KMID: 1101564
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2002.17.3.423

Abstract

We report a case of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPDD) presenting as an acute polyarthritis. A 66-yr-old woman was admitted with a 5-day history of fever and multiple joint pain including wrists, elbows, shoul-ders, knees, and ankles developed 5 days before admission. Her plain radiographs of wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles showed chondrocalcinosis. The pubic symphysis, lumbar intervertebral discs, and both hip joints, which were asymptomatic, also had calcium deposits. The compensated polarized microscopic examination of the joint fluid, aspirated from the right knee revealed intracellular and extracellular weakly positive birefringent crystals, confirming the CPDD. This case showed that CPDD may manifest as an acute polyarthritis mimicking acute onset rheumatoid arthritis.

Keyword

Arthritis; Calcium Pyrophosphate; Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Deposition Disease

MeSH Terms

Acute Disease
Aged
Arthritis/*radiography/radionuclide imaging
Chondrocalcinosis/*radiography/radionuclide imaging
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans