Pseudogout of the wrist presenting as acute median nerve compression

Two cases are reported of acute median nerve compression due to calcium pyrophosphate deposition in the wrist, masquerading as a septic condition. There have been recent reports in the literature of the effects of calcium pyrophosphate in joints of the upper limb (Resnick 1983 and Hensley, 1983) These conditions are uncommon and the presentation and initial symptomatology of our case led in the first patient to misdiagnosis and an unnecessary operation, which was avoided in the second case.