The Wrist Arthropathy of “Pseudogout” Occurring with and without Chondrocalcinosis

Abstract

A distinctive arthropathy of the wrist, characterized by joint space narrowing, sclerosis and subchondral cyst formation, predilecting the radiocarpal joint cavity, was present in 18 patients. Of these individuals, 14 had symptoms compatible with the “pseudogout” syndrome, 7 had calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals demonstrable in joint aspirations, 9 had radiologic evidence of “local” Chondrocalcinosis in the wrist, and 7 had “distant” Chondrocalcinosis in other articulations. Because in some individuals with “pseudogout” a degenerative arthritis appears to precede Chondrocalcinosis, it is important that the radiologist recognize the arthropathy and not let absence of visible calcification in local or distant sites dissuade him from the diagnosis.