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[Acute calcific periarthritis - a differential diagnosis of pyoarthrosis of the hand]
Claudius Illg1, Ruth Christine Schäfer1, Adrien Daigeler1
1Klinik für Hand-, Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Verbrennungschirurgie, BG Unfallklinik Tübingen, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.
Background:
The acute calcific periarthritis is caused by hydroxyapatite deposits in the periarticular soft tissue.The symptoms resemble a pyoarthrosis, explaining high rates of misdiagnosis.
Patients:
Presented are the cases of a 45 and a 46 years old patient, who presented with acute onset of swelling, erythema, functional impairment and pain of the hand. Periarticular calcifications were identified radiologically.
Results:
The symptoms completely resolved in both patients within few days under conservative treatment.
Conclusion:
The acute calcific periarthritis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of pyoarthrosis in the hand, especially if no suitable trauma preceeded. Usually conservative treatment with immobilization and antiphlogistic drugs rapidly leads to a complete remission.
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