[From chondrocalcinosis to rheumatism with calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate]

Abstract

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease is a joint pathology that affects joints, fibrocartilages and periarticular structures. Chondrocalcinosis refers to CPPD deposits on the X-ray that does not summarize the disease. It willingly affects the knees and the wrists, but all the joints can be affected. There are primitive and secondary forms of the disease to particularly look for in patients less than 50 years. The diagnosis is usually easy with standard radiography, ultrasound and synovial fluid analysis that shows the microcrystals. The therapeutics of the acute attacks are nonspecific and close to those used for acute attacks of gout.