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[Liquid lipid crystals-induced arthritis].
1Service de rhumatologie, Département de médecine Hôpital neuchâtelois, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds. daniel.vanlinthoudt@ne.ch
Revue Medicale Suisse
|December 9, 2010
Summary
Liquid lipid crystals can cause arthritis, identified by their unique Maltese cross shape in synovial fluid. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, often with anti-inflammatory drugs, lead to good outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Crystallography
- Pathology
Background:
- Arthritis is frequently caused by crystals found in synovial fluid, commonly monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate, or apatite.
- Liquid lipid crystals are a less common cause of arthritis, characterized by spherical shapes and Maltese cross appearances under microscopy.
Observation:
- This case report details a 50-year-old woman with right knee hemarthrosis presenting with arthritis.
- Microscopic examination of synovial fluid revealed numerous liquid lipid crystals both intracellularly and extracellularly.
Findings:
- Liquid lipid crystals exhibit a spherical morphology with a Maltese cross appearance and positive birefringence.
- In some instances, these crystals are the sole cause of arthropathy, appearing numerous within and outside leukocytes.
Implications:
- Recognizing liquid lipid crystal-induced arthritis is crucial for appropriate management.
- Treatment typically involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or local steroid infiltration after ruling out infection, leading to favorable prognoses.
