Hemochromatosis (skeletal manifestations)

Hemochromatosis is a systemic disease which affects many organs systems, including the joints, characterized by hemosiderin and calcium pyrophosphate deposition.

For a general discussion, and for links to other system specific manifestations, please refer to the article on hemochromatosis.

Radiographic features

• chondrocalcinosis: particularly knees and triangular fibrocartilage
• arthropathy
  • symmetrical loss of joint space, subchondral cysts 
  • close association with CPPD which is often seen concurrently
  • most commonly hands (MCP, carpal, PIP) with the characteristic hook like/ beak-like osteophytes projecting from radial ends of 2and 3metacarpals

    • more extensive involvement from the second to the fifth MCP and radial hook-like/drooping osteophytes are more characteristic than in CPPD

  • can also affect the knee, hip, and elbow  
• generalized osteoporosis (~25%) or osteopaenia (~40%)

Differential diagnosis

On imaging consider:

• calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD)
• osteoarthritis 
  • distal hand joints rather than MCP joints
• psoriatic arthritis

See also

• polyarticular disease

Siehe auch:

• Arthrose
• Psoriasisarthritis
• Hämochromatose
• Arthropathie
• Kalziumpyrophosphat-Ablagerungskrankheit

und weiter:

• Hämochromatose Manifestationen an der Leber
• ZNS Manifestationen bei Hämochromatose
• Hämochromatose Manifestationen am Pankreas