Chondrocalcinosis

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Chondrocalcinosis
Chondrocalcinosis - annotated.jpg
X-ray of a knee with chondrocalcinosis
Specialty Radiology

Chondrocalcinosis or cartilage calcification is calcification (accumulation of calcium salts) in hyaline cartilage and/or fibrocartilage. [1] Chondrocalcinosis is an observation that can be visualized through diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. [2]

Contents

Causes

Buildup of calcium phosphate in the ankle joints has been found in about 50% of the general population, and may be associated with osteoarthritis. [3]

Another common cause of chondrocalcinosis is calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD). [4] CPPD is estimated to affect 4–7% of the adult populations of Europe and the United States. [5] Chondrocalcinosis can be seen in approximately 40% of those with CPPD. [6] Previous studies have overestimated the prevalence by simply estimating the prevalence of chondrocalcinosis regardless of cause. [5]

A magnesium deficiency may cause chondrocalcinosis, and there is anecdotal evidence that magnesium supplementation may reduce or alleviate symptoms. [7] In some cases, arthritis from injury can cause chondrocalcinosis. [8] Other causes of chondrocalcinosis include: [4]

Symptoms

Chondrocalcinosis does not always lead to symptoms. However, chondrocalcinosis in the presence of CPPD may cause symptoms similar to Pseudogout, Pseudo-rheumatoid arthritis, and Pseudo-osteoarthritis. Chondrocalcinosis may be accompanied by joint pain, joint swelling, and decreased range of motion. [9]

Chondrocalcinosis sites

Chondrocalcinosis affects common areas such as the knee, wrist, hand, and pelvis. [10] Chondrocalcinosis can also be visualized affecting the spine. "Crowned Dens Syndrome" is an example of chondrocalcinosis affecting cervical vertebrae. [11]

Diagnosis

Chondrocalcinosis can be visualized on projectional radiography, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. [1] CT scans and MRIs show calcific masses (usually within the ligamentum flavum or joint capsule), however radiography is more successful. [1] At ultrasound, chondrocalcinosis may be depicted as echogenic foci with no acoustic shadow within the hyaline cartilage. [12] As with most conditions, chondrocalcinosis can present with similarity to other diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and gout. [1]

Genetics

More research is needed on the role of genetics in the development of chondrocalcinosis and CPPD, but there is some evidence that mutations of the ANKH gene may lead to chondrocalcinosis. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthritis</span> Type of joint disorder

Arthritis is a term often used to mean any disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, and decreased range of motion of the affected joints. In some types of arthritis, other organs are also affected. Onset can be gradual or sudden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyrophosphate</span> Class of chemical compounds

In chemistry, pyrophosphates are phosphorus oxyanions that contain two phosphorus atoms in a P−O−P linkage. A number of pyrophosphate salts exist, such as disodium pyrophosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, among others. Often pyrophosphates are called diphosphates. The parent pyrophosphates are derived from partial or complete neutralization of pyrophosphoric acid. The pyrophosphate bond is also sometimes referred to as a phosphoanhydride bond, a naming convention which emphasizes the loss of water that occurs when two phosphates form a new P−O−P bond, and which mirrors the nomenclature for anhydrides of carboxylic acids. Pyrophosphates are found in ATP and other nucleotide triphosphates, which are important in biochemistry. The term pyrophosphate is also the name of esters formed by the condensation of a phosphorylated biological compound with inorganic phosphate, as for dimethylallyl pyrophosphate. This bond is also referred to as a high-energy phosphate bond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint</span> Location at which two or more bones make contact

A joint or articulation is the connection made between bones, ossicles, or other hard structures in the body which link an animal's skeletal system into a functional whole. They are constructed to allow for different degrees and types of movement. Some joints, such as the knee, elbow, and shoulder, are self-lubricating, almost frictionless, and are able to withstand compression and maintain heavy loads while still executing smooth and precise movements. Other joints such as sutures between the bones of the skull permit very little movement in order to protect the brain and the sense organs. The connection between a tooth and the jawbone is also called a joint, and is described as a fibrous joint known as a gomphosis. Joints are classified both structurally and functionally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tietze syndrome</span> Inflammation, tenderness, and pain of the chest wall with swelling present

Tietze syndrome is a benign inflammation of one or more of the costal cartilages. It was first described in 1921 by German surgeon Alexander Tietze and was subsequently named after him. The condition is characterized by tenderness and painful swelling of the anterior (front) chest wall at the costochondral, sternocostal, or sternoclavicular junctions. Tietze syndrome affects the true ribs and has a predilection for the 2nd and 3rd ribs, commonly affecting only a single joint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osteoarthritis</span> Form of arthritis caused by degeneration of joints

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. It is believed to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the world, affecting 1 in 7 adults in the United States alone. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Usually the symptoms progress slowly over years. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and, when the back is affected, weakness or numbness of the arms and legs. The most commonly involved joints are the two near the ends of the fingers and the joint at the base of the thumbs, the knee and hip joints, and the joints of the neck and lower back. The symptoms can interfere with work and normal daily activities. Unlike some other types of arthritis, only the joints, not internal organs, are affected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synovial fluid</span> Fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints

Synovial fluid, also called synovia,[help 1] is a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints. With its egg white–like consistency, the principal role of synovial fluid is to reduce friction between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement. Synovial fluid is a small component of the transcellular fluid component of extracellular fluid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tophus</span> Medical condition

A tophus is a deposit of monosodium urate crystals, in people with longstanding high levels of uric acid (urate) in the blood, a condition known as hyperuricemia. Tophi are pathognomonic for the disease gout. Most people with tophi have had previous attacks of acute arthritis, eventually leading to the formation of tophi. Chronic tophaceous gout is known as Harrison Syndrome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monoarthritis</span> Medical condition

Monoarthritis, or monoarticular arthritis, is inflammation (arthritis) of one joint at a time. It is usually caused by trauma, infection, or crystalline arthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease</span> Medical condition

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease, also known as pseudogout and pyrophosphate arthropathy, is a rheumatologic disease which is thought to be secondary to abnormal accumulation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals within joint soft tissues. The knee joint is most commonly affected. The disease is metabolic in origin and its treatment remains symptomatic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthropathy</span> Medical condition

An arthropathy is a disease of a joint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium pyrophosphate</span> Chemical compound

Calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7) is a chemical compound, an insoluble calcium salt containing the pyrophosphate anion. There are a number of forms reported: an anhydrous form, a dihydrate, Ca2P2O7·2H2O and a tetrahydrate, Ca2P2O7·4H2O. Deposition of dihydrate crystals in cartilage are responsible for the severe joint pain in cases of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (pseudo gout) whose symptoms are similar to those of gout. Ca2P2O7 is commonly used as a mild abrasive agent in toothpastes, because of its insolubility and nonreactivity toward fluoride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knee effusion</span> Medical condition

Knee effusion, informally known as water on the knee, occurs when excess synovial fluid accumulates in or around the knee joint. It has many common causes, including arthritis, injury to the ligaments or meniscus, or fluid collecting in the bursa, a condition known as prepatellar bursitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcific tendinitis</span> Disorder characterized by calcium deposits in a tendon

Calcific tendinitis is a common condition where deposits of calcium phosphate form in a tendon, sometimes causing pain at the affected site. Deposits can occur in several places in the body, but are by far most common in the rotator cuff of the shoulder. Around 80% of those with deposits experience symptoms, typically chronic pain during certain shoulder movements, or sharp acute pain that worsens at night. Calcific tendinitis is typically diagnosed by physical exam and X-ray imaging. The disease often resolves completely on its own, but is typically treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, rest and physical therapy to promote healing, and in some cases various procedures to breakdown and/or remove the calcium deposits.

Arthrocentesis, or joint aspiration, is the clinical procedure performed to diagnose and, in some cases, treat musculoskeletal conditions. The procedure entails using a syringe to collect synovial fluid from or inject medication into the joint capsule. Laboratory analysis of synovial fluid can further help characterize the diseased joint and distinguish between gout, arthritis, and synovial infections such as septic arthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ANKH</span> Protein and coding gene in humans

Progressive ankylosis protein homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ANKH gene.

Crystal arthropathy is a class of joint disorder that is characterized by accumulation of tiny crystals in one or more joints. Polarizing microscopy and application of other crystallographic techniques have improved identification of different microcrystals including monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate, calcium hydroxyapatite, and calcium oxalate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knee arthritis</span> Medical condition

Arthritis of the knee is typically a particularly debilitating form of arthritis. The knee may become affected by almost any form of arthritis.

Milwaukee shoulder syndrome (MSS) (apatite-associated destructive arthritis/Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystal arthritis/rapid destructive arthritis of the shoulder is a rare rheumatological condition similar to pseudogout, associated with periarticular or intra-articular deposition of hydroxyapatite or basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals. While primarily associated with the shoulder joint, it can affect any joint in the body below the head. Along with symptomatology, the disease typically presents with positive radiologic findings, often showing marked erosion of the humeral head, cartilage, capsule, and bursae. Though rare, it is most often seen in females beginning in their 50s or 60s. Patients often have a history of joint trauma or overuse, calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystal deposition, neuroarthropathy, dialysis-related arthropathy or denervation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrist osteoarthritis</span> Medical condition

Wrist osteoarthritis is gradual loss of articular cartilage and hypertrophic bone changes (osteophytes). While in many joints this is part of normal aging (senescence), in the wrist osteoarthritis usually occurs over years to decades after scapholunate interosseous ligament rupture or an unhealed fracture of the scaphoid. Characteristic symptoms including pain, deformity and stiffness. Pain intensity and incapability are notably variable and do not correspond with arthritis severity on radiographs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip pain</span>

Pain in the hip is the experience of pain in the muscles or joints in the hip/ pelvic region, a condition commonly arising from any of a number of factors. Sometimes it is closely associated with lower back pain.

References

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  3. Hubert J, Weiser L, Hischke S, Uhlig A, Rolvien T, Schmidt T, et al. (May 2018). "Cartilage calcification of the ankle joint is associated with osteoarthritis in the general population". BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 19 (1): 169. doi: 10.1186/s12891-018-2094-7 . PMC   5968601 . PMID   29793463.
  4. 1 2 Morgan MA, Gaillard F, et al. "Chondrocalcinosis". Radiopedia . Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  5. 1 2 Rosenthal AK. "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition (CPPD) disease". UpToDate . This topic last updated: Jul 24, 2018.
  6. Rosenthal, Ann K.; Ryan, Lawrence M. (2016-06-30). Campion, Edward W. (ed.). "Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease". New England Journal of Medicine. 374 (26): 2575–2584. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1511117. ISSN   0028-4793. PMC   6240444 . PMID   27355536.
  7. de Filippi JP, Diderich PP, Wouters JM (January 1992). "[Hypomagnesemia and chondrocalcinosis]". Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde. 136 (3): 139–141. PMID   1732847.
  8. Wright GD, Doherty M (October 1997). "Calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition is not always 'wear and tear' or aging". Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 56 (10): 586–588. doi:10.1136/ard.56.10.586. PMC   1752269 . PMID   9389218.
  9. Ivory, Dedri; Velázquez, Celso R. (2012). "The forgotten crystal arthritis: calcium pyrophosphate deposition". Missouri Medicine. 109 (1): 64–68. ISSN   0026-6620. PMC   6181683 . PMID   22428450.
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  11. Saylısoy, Suzan (2020). "A case of acute calcium pyrophosphate arthritis in two rare sites of involvement: The cervical facet and atlantoaxial joint". Joint Diseases and Related Surgery. 31 (2): 395–398. doi:10.5606/ehc.2020.74329. ISSN   2687-4792. PMC   7489169 . PMID   32584744.
  12. Arend CF (2013). "Acromioclavicular chondrocalcinosis". Ultrasound of the Shoulder. Master Medical Books. ShoulderUS.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
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