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Crystal-Induced Arthritis

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Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography in Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract

Crystal-induced arthritis is associated with intra-articular (and periarticular) deposits of monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate (CPP), basic calcium phosphate (BCP), including hydroxyapatite and calcium oxalate crystals. High-resolution ultrasonography (US) is able to detect these deposits and their consequences: cartilage pathology, effusions, synovitis, bone erosions, tendons, bursal, and other soft tissues involvement. Moreover, there are characteristic findings of these aggregates which can also be US detected, helping the clinician in positive and differential diagnosis. This chapter presents the main US findings in gout, CPP deposition disease, and BCP deposition disease. The utility of the method in diagnosis and treatment response is discussed. Comparison with other imaging techniques in sensibility and specificity of the methods in these pathological situations is also made.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Rheumatology Centre “St. Irina”, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Rodina Nestorova MD

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Prof. Daniela Fodor MD, PhD

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  1. Rodina Nestorova MD
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  2. Prof. Daniela Fodor MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Rodina Nestorova MD .

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  1. Department of Rheumatology, Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, United Kingdom

    Yasser El Miedany

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Nestorova, R., Fodor, D. (2015). Crystal-Induced Arthritis. In: El Miedany, Y. (eds) Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography in Rheumatic Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15723-8_7

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