A case of old female with swollen and pain of multiple joints

Abstract

Objective By analyzing the clinical and radiographic manifestations of calcium pyrophos-phate deposition disease (CPDD) to improve the recognization of the disease. Methods Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of an old female patient with CPDD was reported with literature review. Results An old female patient presented with swollen and pain on the right knee without obvious causes eight years ago, which was characterized by slightly reddness of joint surface, warm of local skin. Then she gradually developed swollen and pain in left knee, right ankle, both wrists, bilateral meta-carpophalangeal (MCPJ) and right elbow joints with few joint symptoms and the joints swollen and pain could relieved spontaneouslyitself in about one week. X-ray showed the thin strip of cartilage calcifications in wrist triangular fibrocartilage disc, meniscus of knee and the pubic symphysis were parallel to the surface of cartilage. Examination of microscopy with refractive filter demonstrated that short rod crystals refraction in joint fluid. CPDD was diagnosed and treated with flushing of joint cavity and injections of betamethasone as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug orally. Symptoms relieved after therapy. Conclusion Understanding the disease characteristics of CPDD is beneficial to for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Arthritis; Diagnosis; Chondrocalcinosis