Hemochromatosis: a disease often silent but not invisible

Hemochromatosis is a disorder characterized by the association of portal cirrhosis with deposition of excess amounts of iron in the parenchymal cells of many organs. Arthralgia and arthritis occur in about 50% of patients. The role of the radiologist is often significant in the recognition of this condition because hemochromatosis may be unsuspected clinically since the hepatic cirrhosis is frequently inactive at the time the arthritis develops. The possibility of hemochromatosis should be considered when the characteristic involvement of the metacarpophalangeal, radiocarpal, and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hand and wrist is present. In addition, articular and fibrocartilage calcification is often noted, particularly in the knee, triangular cartilage of the wrist, hip, elbow, symphysis pubis, and shoulder. Although localized chondrocalcinosis may be seen in association with many disorders, as well as in asymptomatic elderly persons, generalized chondrocalcinosis is a significant finding and is commonly associated with hemochromatosis. Recognition of the typical distribution of the arthropathy plus its characteristic roentgenographic features should aid in the identification of patients with the disorder who do not demonstrate the typical clinical features of hemochromatosis.