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Intern Med 2019 Feb 25. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan.

A 75-year-old woman was admitted with urosepsis due to Escherichia coli infection. After improvement with a ureteral stent and antimicrobial agent, she complained of back pain and showed elevated inflammation marker levels. Arthralgia and arthritis of multiple peripheral joints were noted, and radiography indicated cartilage calcification. Read More

Arthritis Rheumatol 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Radiology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Objective: To determine whether novel multi-energy spectral photon-counting CT (SPCCT) imaging can detect and differentiate between monosodium urate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) crystal deposits ex vivo.

Methods: A finger with a subcutaneous gouty tophus and a calcified knee meniscus excised at the time of surgery were obtained. The finger was imaged using plain X-ray, dual-energy CT (DECT) and multi-energy SPCCT. Read More

JAAPA 2019 Jan;32(1):29-32

At the time this article was written, Caitlin Chrystal was a student in the PA program at Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz. She now practices at the Orthopedic Clinic Association in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Arthroplasty in Phoenix, Ariz. James D. Stoehr is a professor in the PA program at Midwestern University. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

An active 72-year-old woman presented with pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion in her right shoulder. After a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and 6 months of physical therapy, she was able to return to full activity level without pain. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Polytechnic University of Marche, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences.

Objectives: To preliminarily explore the diagnostic potential of ultrasound (US) in detecting calcium pyrophosphate crystal (CPP) deposits at the hip joint in a cohort of patients with calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) which were previously evaluated by conventional radiography (CR); to assess the sensitivity and specificity as well as the agreement between US and CR in the evaluation of hip CPP crystal deposits.

Design: Fifty consecutive patients with "definite" CPPD and 40 age/sex/body mass index-matched disease controls who had undergone hip CR within the previous six months were enrolled. Bilateral hip US examination was carried out by one of the authors (A. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2018 Oct 14. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Université Paris Diderot France, France; Department of Rheumatology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 75010 Paris, France; INSERM U1132, Hôpital Lariboisière, Université Paris Diderot, France. Electronic address:

Background: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD) has been reported to involve the spine, but few systematic studies have been published.

Objective: To further characterize the spinal involvement with CPPD by a review of CPPD patients hospitalized in a rheumatology department.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data for patients consecutively admitted with a diagnosis of CPPD in the rheumatology department of Lariboisière hospital in Paris, France over 5 years by using a standardized protocol and electronic case report forms. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Oct 28;2018. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Infectious Diseases, Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.

A case of a 67-year-old man with coexisting polyarticular septic arthritis due to group G , gout and pseudogout is presented. Septic arthritis of the left knee joint was further complicated by the development of an adjacent osteomyelitis. Appropriate management led to a full clinical recovery. Read More

BJR Case Rep 2018 7;4(1):20170049. Epub 2017 Oct 7.

Departments of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease is characterized by the accumulation of CPPD crystal in articular and periarticular tissues, but CPPD crystal deposition along the spinal dura mater has not been previously reported. We report a 54-year-old male presenting with progressive neck pain and numbness of the extremities. CT showed diffuse dorsal epidural calcification from C3-T6 which resulted in spinal canal stenosis. Read More

Rev Med Interne 2019 Apr 19;40(4):211-213. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Service de médecine interne, hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, 93000 Bobigny, France.

Introduction: Chondrocalcinosis results from calcium pyrophosphate crystals deposition in the joints. We report an exceptional case of aseptic psoas abscess with a deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals.

Case Report: A 92-year-old man presented to our department for an acute onset of inflammatory pain in the left hip. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Oct 16;13(1):255. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Lourdes Medical Center Burlington County, Willingboro, NJ, 08046, USA.

Clin Nucl Med 2019 Feb;44(2):e98-e100

From the Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

A 53-year-old man with a 10-year history of gout was admitted to our hospital due to chronic low back pain. Initial CT examinations showed a high-density mass with bone destruction of bilateral facet joints at the L3 to L5 level. MRI findings also revealed lesion with the dural sac compression. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2019 Jan 12;28(1):196-202. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Institut Locomoteur de l'Ouest Saint Gregoire (Vivalto Sante), Saint Gregoire, France.

Background: This study evaluated the clinical and structural outcome 20 years after repair of isolated supraspinatus tendon tears. We hypothesized that the results would deteriorate over time.

Materials And Methods: For this retrospective multicenter study, 137 patients were recalled for a clinical and imaging assessment. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Sep 28;2018. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Medicine/Rheumatology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

We report a case of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) with an unusual presentation of severe chondrocalcinosis with atypical large burden deposited in the metacarpophalangeal joints as well as more typical deposition in wrists and knees as demonstrated on plain radiographs. A 77-year-old African-American woman 1-year status post parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism initially presented to the rheumatology clinic to treat suspected rheumatoid arthritis given her pattern of joint involvement but was found to have CPPD. The patient's history is notable for end-stage renal disease which complicates medical management. Read More

Can Assoc Radiol J 2018 Nov 22;69(4):430-436. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Purpose: To analyze the utilization, indications, and outcomes of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) gout imaging in clinical practice.

Methods: This retrospective study was ethics approved. Radiology reports of DECT gout scans between 2007 and 2016 were analyzed for trends of utilization, referral pattern, indication, and diagnosis. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2018 Aug 7;143(16):1157-1166. Epub 2018 Aug 7.

The metabolic diseases gout and calciumpyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) (formerly: chondrocalcinosis/pseudogout) are crystal arthropathies which are caused by crystals in synovial fluid and in the case of gout also in periarticular structures. Today, in particular gout is considered as an auto-inflammatory process since phagocytosis of monosodium urate crystals by monocytes/macrophages results in the activation of the innate immune system by activation of the NRLP3-Inflammasome and consecutive secretion of the key cytokine interleukin-1ß and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. The prevalence of both crystal arthropathies rises with increasing age of patients. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Jul 5;12(1):205. Epub 2018 Jul 5.

Rheumatology Department, Hédi Chaker University Hospital, El-Aïn Street Km 0,5, zip code 3029, Sfax, Tunisia.

Background: Septic arthritis is an infectious disease that commonly affects weight-bearing or proximal joints such as the knee and the hip. The sternoclavicular joint is an unusual site of this entity. It usually occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug abusers, or those with rheumatoid arthritis. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Jul;21(7):1391-1397

Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.

Aim: Chondrocalcinosis results from deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate in articular cartilage. It is a relatively common radiographic finding of the joints, especially the knee. This study investigated the incidence and the risk factors for the development of knee chondrocalcinosis in the general population. Read More

Insights Imaging 2018 Aug 7;9(4):477-492. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 1000 rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC, H2X 0C1, Canada.

Musculoskeletal calcifications are frequent on radiographs and sometimes problematic. The goal of this article is to help radiologists to make the correct diagnosis when faced with an extraosseous musculoskeletal calcification. One should first differentiate a calcification from an ossification or a foreign body and then locate the calcification correctly. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2018 May 24;19(1):169. Epub 2018 May 24.

Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.

Background: Cartilage calcification (CC) is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip and the knee. However, little is known about the impact of CC and degeneration on other weight-bearing joints, especially as it relates to the occurrence of OA in the ankles. The goal of this study is to analyse the prevalence of ankle joint cartilage calcification (AJ CC) and to determine its correlation with factors such as histological OA grade, age and BMI in the general population. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2018 Nov 19;47(11):1499-1504. Epub 2018 May 19.

Department of Radiology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, 500 University Drive HG300, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.

Objective: The objective was to determine if there is a significant difference between rates of non-union of type II and III odontoid fractures in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition (CPPD) compared with a control population.

Materials And Methods: A 10-year retrospective picture archive and communications system review was performed of 31 CPPD patients and 31 control patients. Imaging studies were reviewed for radiographic or CT evidence of osseous union and complications. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2018 Sep 3;27(9):1622-1628. Epub 2018 May 3.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Orthopedics, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.

Background: Treatment options for irreparable cuff tears include synthetic interposition grafts, but whether such grafts can maintain acceptable shoulder function and prevent cuff tear arthropathy in the long-term is unknown.

Method: This was a retrospective case series of 13 consecutive patients treated with a synthetic interposition graft made of Dacron (DuPont, Wilmington, DE, USA). Patients were examined with bilateral ultrasonography, bilateral x-ray imaging, Constant-Murley score, and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff score. Read More

Med Ultrason 2018 May;20(2):159-163

Department Of Rheumatology,Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Aim: To evaluate the presence and distribution of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) deposits in joints commonly affected by CPP deposition (CPPD) disease (acromio-clavicular, gleno-humeral, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and symphysis pubis joints) using ultrasound (US).

Material And Methods: Thirty consecutive patients fulfilling McCarty diagnostic criteria for CPPD were consecutively enrolled in the study. The data registered using the US included the affected joints, the calcification site, and the pattern of calcification (thin hyperechoic bands, parallel to the surface of the hyaline cartilage, hyperechoic spots, and hyperechoic nodular or oval deposits). Read More

Diagn Cytopathol 2018 Sep 11;46(9):748-751. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease is a metabolic arthropathy which results from deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in and around joints especially the hyaline cartilage and disc material. This metabolic disease in uncommon in the smaller joints and multiple diagnostic modalities along with biochemical investigations would be necessary for definite diagnosis. We highlight the case of a 48 year old male who presented with a painful mass at the base of left thumb and was clinic-radiologically suspected as malignancy. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Apr 5;13(1):73. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

Department of Clinical Biomechanics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinamomachi, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals are commonly observed in osteoarthritic joints. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of a dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for detecting CPPD crystals in knee meniscus.

Methods: Twenty-six patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were included in the study. Read More

Arthritis Rheumatol 2018 Aug 14;70(8):1182-1191. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Veterans Affairs, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California.

Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal deposition (CPPD) is prevalent and can be associated with synovitis and joint damage. The population of elderly persons predominantly affected by CPPD is growing rapidly. Since shortfalls exist in many aspects of CPPD, we conducted an anonymous survey of CPPD unmet needs, prioritized by experts from the Gout, Hyperuricemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network. Read More

Korean J Radiol 2018 Mar-Apr;19(2):320-327. Epub 2018 Feb 22.

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea.

Objective: To compare the T1-weighted spectral presaturation with inversion-recovery sequences (T1 SPIR) with T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences (T2 TSE) on 3T magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) in the evaluation of the subscapularis (SSC) tendon tear with arthroscopic findings as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 120 consecutive patients who had undergone MRA within 3 months between April and December 2015. Two musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to the arthroscopic results evaluated T1 SPIR and T2 TSE images in separate sessions for the integrity of the SSC tendon, examining normal/articular-surface partial-thickness tear (PTTa)/full-thickness tear (FTT). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Mar 5;2018. Epub 2018 Mar 5.

Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 05;57(5):865-872

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Objective: To develop an optical spectral transmission (OST) model to measure joint inflammation, and thus disease activity, as well as to evaluate (patho-)physiological findings that could lead to misclassification of inflammation.

Methods: Forty-six RA patients were included in this cross-sectional study, where US scores, duplicate OST measurements and 28-joint DAS (DAS28) were acquired. With US as a reference standard, the diagnostic performance of OST in detecting inflammation at the joint level was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2018 Mar 4;37(3):831-836. Epub 2018 Feb 4.

Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.

Surface defects have a central position in diagnosis of articular pathology. Recognizing the limitations of standard radiologic techniques and those imposed by positioning and averaging artifacts on CT evaluation, direct visualization of surface defects was pursued to identify disease characteristics that would facilitate interpretation of radiologic findings. Epi-illumination surface microscopy was utilized to examine macroscopically recognized articular surface defects in individuals in the Hamann-Todd, Terry, and Huntington human skeletal collections with previously verified diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, juvenile inflammatory arthritis (JIA), calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), gout, metastatic cancer, multiple myeloma, septic arthritis, tuberculosis, fungal arthritis, histiocytosis and sickle cell anemia (Rothschild and Rothschild Clin Infect Dis 20(5):1402-1408, 1995; Rothschild et al. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2018 08 2;48(1):9-11. Epub 2017 Dec 2.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, FOEB, 4th Floor, 9200 Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53226.

Objective: Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD) is arthritis caused by calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal deposition in joints. It is commonly associated with aging as well as a handful of metabolic syndromes. Recent epidemiologic studies suggest a positive association of CPDD and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2018 May 14;47(5):729-734. Epub 2017 Dec 14.

Department of Radiology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, College of Medicine, CHA University, 59, Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea.

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare, benign fibroblastic tumor that typically occurs in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet in children and adolescents. We report an unusual case of a calcifying aponeurotic fibroma with diffuse intra-articular involvement of the carpal joints in a 59-year-old female. Radiographs and computed tomography scans revealed a large lobulated soft tissue mass with multiple stippled calcifications around the carpal joints and numerous erosions of the second to fifth carpometacarpal and intercarpal joints. Read More

Pract Neurol 2018 Feb 24;18(1):57-59. Epub 2017 Nov 24.

Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.

Crowned dens syndrome is a rare presentation of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. It is characterised by severe occipital pain and neck stiffness. Acute presentations are typically accompanied by fever and an inflammatory response and hence can be misdiagnosed as polymyalgia rheumatica or meningitis. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017 Nov 21;18(1):476. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center - Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.

Background: Glenohumeral exploration is routinely performed during arthroscopic removal of rotator cuff calcifications in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder (CTS). However, evidence on the prevalence of intraarticular co-pathologies is lacking and the benefit of glenohumeral exploration remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to assess and quantify intraoperative pathologies during arthroscopic removal of rotator cuff calcifications in order to determine whether standardized diagnostic glenohumeral exploration appears justified in CTS patients. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2017 Oct 24;19(1):236. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, #87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.

Background: The aim was to assess serum magnesium levels in relation to prevalence of knee chondrocalcinosis in two population-based Chinese studies.

Methods: Data included in this analysis consisted of two population-based cross-sectional studies, i.e. Read More

Orthopade 2017 Nov;46(11):963-968

II. Orthopädische Abteilung, Herz-Jesu Krankenhaus Wien, Baumgasse 20A, 1030, Wien, Österreich.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an inflammatory, ulcerative, neutrophilic dermatosis that is clinically characterized by rapidly evolving, painful, necrotic skin lesions. It is typically associated with chronic systemic inflammatory or neoplastic diseases, but may also occur secondary to cutaneous injury or surgery (pathergy). Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum typically develops around surgical sites within the immediate postoperative period, mimicking early wound infection. Read More

Joint Bone Spine 2018 Oct 28;85(5):615-618. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Service de rhumatologie, hôpital Bichat, université Paris Diderot, AP-HP, 46, rue Henri-Huchard, 75018 Paris, France. Electronic address:

Objective: Ultrasound (US) seems a useful tool for diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) deposition (CPPD). We aimed to compare the performance of US and conventional radiography of the wrist for diagnosis of CPPD.

Methods: Patients with CPP crystals identified in synovial fluid (SF) (knee, hip, shoulder, ankle or wrist) were consecutively included and compared to patients without CPP crystals in synovial fluid considered as controls. Read More

Blood Purif 2017 5;44 Suppl 1:46-51. Epub 2017 Sep 5.

Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

We report a case of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPDD) involving a patient on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The 32-year-old man presented in August 2016 with a complaint of left shoulder swelling of 8 months' duration with no trauma or fever. He was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in 1998, which progressed to ESRD. Read More

Adv Biomed Res 2017 31;6:98. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

Department of Rheumatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Some studies showed a relation between chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis (OA). Hence, considering the importance of chondrocalcinosis diagnosis andnecessity for its integration with OA, the current study aims at investigating prevalence of chondrocalcinosis in patients above 50 years admitted to Isfahan Al-Zahra Medical Center and its relationship with OA.

Materials And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 600 patients who referred to the radiology units of Al-Zahra Hospital for radiography of different joints were studied during 2013-2014. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2017 Sep 12;55(5):1023-1034. Epub 2017 Jun 12.

Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Room G1-211, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam AZ 1105, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Crystalline-induced arthropathies impose substantial morbidity but can be challenging to diagnose, especially in early phases. The most common crystalline arthropathies are gout (monosodium urate deposition), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition, and hydroxyapatite deposition disease. Computed tomography (CT) and MR imaging provide 3-dimensional information on osseous structures, periarticular soft tissue, and tophi with superior spatial resolution. Read More

J Rheumatol 2017 08;44(8):1288-1289

Rheumatology Department, Strasbourg University Hospital, Hautepierre Hospital, Strasbourg, France.

Phys Med Biol 2017 Aug 1;62(16):6729-6745. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erwin-Rommel-Strasse 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.

We report on a radiographic measurement of an ex vivo human knee using a grating-based phase-contrast imaging setup and a medical x-ray tube at a tube voltage of 70 kV. The measurement has been carried out using a Talbot-Lau setup that is suitable to achieve a high visibility in the energy regime of medical imaging. In a medical reading by an experienced trauma surgeon signatures of chondrocalcinosis in the medial meniscus have been identified more evidently using the dark-field image in comparison to the conventional attenuation image. Read More

Musculoskelet Surg 2017 Dec 31;101(Suppl 2):121-127. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

Hopital privé La Châtaigneraie, Chirurgie du membre supérieur, Beaumont, Clermont Ferrand, France.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with glenoid plating in a consecutive series of patients affected by cuff tear glenohumeral arthropathy with glenoid retroversion >15°. We hypothesized that autologous humeral head graft may be better stabilized between the baseplate and the native glenoid surface with the use of a glenoid plate.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients affected by cuff tear arthropathy with glenoid retroversion >15° (B2 or C according to Walch classification) were enrolled in this study. Read More

Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2017 Oct 20;110(10):550-561. Epub 2017 Jul 20.

Department of Cardiology, Toulouse-Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse University School of Medicine, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France. Electronic address:

Epidemiological studies using coronary artery calcification measurement have linked calcification strongly with coronary events and mortality. Formerly considered as a passive age-related phenomenon, coronary artery calcification is now recognized as an active and regulated process. In fact, there is a local influence linked to the inflammation generated by the presence of oxidized lipids and, equally, a general influence from mineral metabolism factors, such as inorganic phosphate, calcium, pyrophosphate or fibroblast growth factor 23, which are regulators of cell differentiation and of phosphate and calcium deposition on the vascular layers. Read More

J Rheumatol 2017 07;44(7):1101-1102

Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

J Neurosurg Spine 2017 Aug 19;27(2):145-149. Epub 2017 May 19.

Department of Neurological Surgery, and.

Pseudogout is a form of acute calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease that typically afflicts the elderly. CPPD commonly involves larger joints, such as the knees, wrists, shoulders, and hips, and has been known to involve the spine. The authors report the case of a 66-year-old woman with a recent history of lumbar laminectomy and fusion who presented 5 weeks postprocedure with a clinical and radiographic picture consistent with multilevel skip lesions involving the cervical and thoracic spine, thoracic discitis, and epidural abscess. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2017 Jul 1;45(9):1990-1999. Epub 2017 May 1.

Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany.

Background: Quantitative muscle fat-fraction magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques correlate with semiquantitative Goutallier scores with failure after rotator cuff (RC) repair.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of proton density fat fraction (PDFF) of the RC muscles with semiquantitative MR scores, cartilage T2 relaxation times, and clinical isometric strength measurements in patients 10 years after unilateral RC repair.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Read More

J Surg Orthop Adv 2017 ;26(1):54-57

ProScan Imaging Education Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Milwaukee shoulder syndrome (MSS) is a rare, rapidly destructive arthropathy associated with calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition. This condition is a combination of rotator cuff tear, osteoarthritic changes, noninflammatory joint effusion containing crystals, synovial hyperplasia, cartilage and subchondral bone destruction, and multiple osteochondral loose bodies. This article discusses pathophysiology, clinical presentation, differential considerations, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of MSS. Read More

Ann Emerg Med 2017 May;69(5):665-673

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT; Department of Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT.

J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2017 May 14;42(4):395-404. Epub 2016 Dec 14.

1 Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The first imaging modality in patients suspected of distal radioulnar joint pathology should be conventional radiography to exclude or diagnose wrist pathology including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, (healed) fractures, or impaction syndromes. When conventional radiography is inconclusive, high resolution 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging is advised. We provide a broad overview of the literature regarding the use of intra-articular contrast both with computed tomography (CTA) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRA). Read More

Clin Orthop Relat Res 2017 11 4;475(11):2819-2823. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.