Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
08:12
Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
Published on: May 16, 2016
CPPD crystal deposition disease as a cause of unrecognised pyrexia
M E Mavrikakis1, L G Antoniades, S A Kontoyannis
1Department of Clinical Therapeutics, University of Athens Medical School, Alexandra Hospital, Greece.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Fever in elderly patients can be misdiagnosed as infection, but may indicate Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease. Prompt colchicine treatment led to rapid improvement and long-term remission in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Geriatrics
- Crystal-Induced Arthropathies
Background:
- Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease is a common condition in the elderly.
- Fever can be a presenting symptom of CPPD, mimicking infectious processes.
Observation:
- Three elderly patients presented with fever as their primary symptom.
- Clinical presentation was similar to septic fever, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Findings:
- High-dose oral colchicine and loperamide resulted in rapid symptom improvement.
- Long-term, low-dose colchicine with magnesium supplementation prevented relapse.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering CPPD in elderly patients with unexplained fever.
- Suggests colchicine as an effective treatment for fever associated with CPPD.
- Emphasizes the role of magnesium in managing CPPD crystal deposition disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Increased Body Temperature
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:28Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the thyroid gland. It results from autoantibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs), which bind to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors, leading to overstimulation of hormone production and a hypermetabolic state.EtiologyAlthough considered idiopathic, Graves’ disease has well-established contributing factors. There is a strong genetic component, with increased prevalence in...