Chondrocalcinosis is associated with which crystal arthropathy?

Chondrocalcinosis is associated with which crystal arthropathy?

• A. Gout
• B. Osteoarthritis
• C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
• D. Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (Pseudogout)

Answer: (D)

Chondrocalcinosis on imaging reflects calcification of the articular cartilage due to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, which is the hallmark of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. This crystal arthropathy is commonly called pseudogout. The presence of cartilage calcifications points to CPPD rather than gout (uric acid crystals) or rheumatoid arthritis or typical osteoarthritis, which have different characteristic findings. In CPPD, crystals are rhomboid-shaped and show positive birefringence under polarized light, and patients often have acute or subacute joint inflammation, frequently in the knee.

Chondrocalcinosis on imaging reflects calcification of the articular cartilage due to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, which is the hallmark of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. This crystal arthropathy is commonly called pseudogout. The presence of cartilage calcifications points to CPPD rather than gout (uric acid crystals) or rheumatoid arthritis or typical osteoarthritis, which have different characteristic findings. In CPPD, crystals are rhomboid-shaped and show positive birefringence under polarized light, and patients often have acute or subacute joint inflammation, frequently in the knee.