Pseudogout Flashcards
1
Q
Pathophysiology?
A
A form of microcrystal synovitis caused by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in the synovium.
2
Q
Risk factors?
A
- haemochromatosis
- hyperparathyroidism
- acromegaly
- low magnesium, low phosphate
- Wilson’s disease
3
Q
Which joints are most commonly affected?
A
Knee, wrist and shoulders
4
Q
What would you see on joint aspiration?
A
Weakly-positively birefringent rhomboid-shaped crystals
5
Q
What would you see on x-ray?
A
Chondrocalcinosis
e.g. on the knee this can be seen as linear calcifications of the meniscus and articular cartilage
6
Q
Management?
A
NSAIDs or intra-articular, intra-muscular or oral steroids as for gout
7
Q
What is important to exclude as a differential and how would you do that?
A
Important to exclude septic arthritis and joint fluid aspiration can be done to exclude this
