Scapholunate advanced collapse pattern of arthritis in calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease of the wrist

Chondrocalcinosis is a well-described radiographic finding in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease of the wrist and other joints. The medical records and x-ray films of 12 patients evaluated over an 18-month period for chondrocalcinosis of the wrist were examined for symptoms and physical and x-ray film findings. Thirteen wrists were affected. All wrists were noted to have calcification of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. Twelve of 13 wrists had the characteristic features of the scapholunate advanced collapse pattern of arthritis. In addition, there was a correlation in our series between chondrocalcinosis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Destruction of the interosseous soft tissues caused by crystalline deposition could alter the biomechanics of the wrist in a similar fashion to that of the post-traumatic scapholunate advanced collapse wrist leading to arthritic symptoms.