Bartter's syndrome, hypomagnesaemia and chondrocalcinosis

A 45-yr-old normotensive woman with hypokalaemic alkalosis and hypomagnesaemia was diagnosed as suffering from Bartter's syndrome. A diagnosis of chondrocalcinosis had been made because of arthralgia and calcifications of cartilage of the knees. The association between both diagnoses is described as well as the possible role of hypomagnesaemia as the intermediary. The effect of spironolactone on urinary excretion of magnesium in this patient with Bartter's syndrome was studied.