[Calcium pyrophosphate deposits--a chameleon]

Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate (CPPD) crystals deposit in articular fibro- or hyaline cartilage (chondrocalcinosis), joint capsules, synovium, periarticular ligaments and tendons resulting in an age dependent prevalence. These calcifications may be asymptomatic or may manifest as acute pseudogout arthritis, pseudorheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, tendinitis, polymyalgic syndrome or chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy. The diagnosis is based on the presence of intracellular CPPD crystals in synovial fluid detected by polarizing microscopy, the characteristic radiological changes and the typical clinical presentations. The therapy is symptom oriented or disease specific in case of an underlying metabolic disease such as hemochromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypophosphatasia, hypomagnesemia or hypothyroidism.