A roentgenologically distinctive arthropathy in some patients with the pseudogout syndrome

TLDR: A degenerative arthropathy which is characteristic roentgenologically may be observed in some patients with pseudogout and shows a predilection for the elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees and, in particular, the metacarpophalangeal joints.

Abstract: A degenerative arthropathy which is characteristic roentgenologically may be observed in some patients with pseudogout. Although it is possible that chondrocalcinosis and repeated bouts of joint inflammation may lead to a secondary osteoarthritis, certain pseudogout patients appear to have a form of primary cartilage degeneration. This frequently causes cartilage calcification which may, under circumstances that are not well understood, lead to the pseudogout syndrome. The arthropathy is often severe and generalized and shows a predilection for the elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees and, in particular, the metacarpophalangeal joints. Discrete subchondral rarefactions, probably representing "degenerative cysts," are characteristic and conspicuous and may develop prior to roentgenologically apparent cartilage degeneration of calcification. Paraarticular, tendon and bursal calcification frequently accompanies this type of arthropathy. Pseudogout patients may present with diffuse swelling of a hand possibly du...