Crystal arthropathy
Crystal arthropathies are a group of joint disorders due to deposition of crystals in and around joints which lead to joint destruction and soft tissue masses.
Pathology
The most common arthropathies are:
- gouty arthropathy due to monosodium urate (MSU) deposition
- pseudogout due to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition
Other less common crystals are :
- calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite in generalized peritendinitis, osteoarthritis and erosive arthropathies
- see: hydroxyapatite deposition disease (HADD)
- calcium oxalate aluminum phosphate deposited in end stage renal failure patients on dialysis, short gut syndrome and primary oxalosis
- cholesterol deposited in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- xanthine
- cysteine
- lysophospholipase (Charcot-Leyden)
