صفحه 1:
1A 58-year-old woman is evaluated for brief episodes of pain, swelling, and
redness in the right wrist lasting 4 days. Over the past 2 years, she has
experienced similar episodes in her left wrist and left third metacarpophalangeal
joint, which resolved without treatment. On physical examination, vital signs are
normal. Joint examination reveals swelling, warmth, and redness of the left wrist,
as well as redness and bony enlargement of the left third metacarpophalangeal
joint. Other joints are normal. Laboratory studies show normal complete blood
count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and serum calcium, magnesium, and
thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Radiographs of the wrist and
metacarpophalangeal joints are shown on the next page. Synovial fluid analysis
from the left wrist shows a leukocyte count of 30,000/uL (30 x 10%/L) with 90%
neutrophils. Polarizing microscopy reveals numerous positively birefringent
rhomboid crystals within neutrophils. Synovial fluid Gram stain and culture are
negative. Which of the following is the most appropriate laboratory study to
perform next?
(A) Antinuclear antibodies
(B) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (C) Rheumatoid factor (D) Serum ferritin
a by Shaghayegh
صفحه 2:
Clinical Presentation of
CPPD
Patient Symptoms Physical Exam
Swelling, warmth,
Recurrent episodes of redness, and bony
pain, swelling, and enlargement of affected
redness in wrists and joints; other joints
MCP joints lasting days, normal.
resolving spontaneously.
Synovial Fluid Findings
Leukocyte count ~30,000/uL with 90% neutrophils;
positively birefringent rhomboid crystals confirm CPP.
crystals; no infection.
۴
صفحه 3:
Pathophysiology of CPPD
Clinical Impact
Crystals trigger inflammation causing acute arthritis
resembling gout but with longer attacks and possible
systemic symptoms.
Chronic CPPD mimics osteoarthritis with polyarticular
joint damage, often in atypical locations.
Crystal Formation
Increased inorganic pyrophosphate in cartilage
combines with calcium to form CPP crystals, mainly
from ATP breakdown.
Mutations in the ANKH gene can elevate
pyrophosphate levels, promoting crystal deposition.
صفحه 4:
Radiographic Features
of CPPD
Chondrocalcinosis Hooked
Osteophytes
Cartilage calcification visible Characteristic bony
in wrist radiographs, a projections at 2nd and 3rd
hallmark of CPPD. MCP joints, distinguishing
CPP crystal arthritis.
Joint Damage
Radiographs may show degenerative changes with severe joint
involvement in chronic disease.
صفحه 5:
Laboratory Evaluation:
Synovial Fluid Analysis
Crystal
Identification
Positively birefringent
rhomboid crystals
confirm CPPD diagnosis.
Leukocyte Count
Elevated to 30,000/uL
with neutrophil
predominance, consistent
with acute CPP crystal
arthritis.
Infection Exclusion
Negative Gram stain and culture rule out septic arthritis.
۴
صفحه 6:
Screening for Secondary Causes of CPPD
1 2 3
Metabolic Disorders to Rule Current Patient Labs Recommended Next Test
Out
Normal metabolic panel, magnesium, and Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation
* Hemochromatosis TSH exclude most causes except to screen for hemochromatosis.
+ Hyperparathyraidien hemochromatosis.
* Hypothyroidism
+ Hypophosphatasia
* Hypomagnesemia
صفحه 7:
Why Serum Ferritin Is
the Best Next Test
Age Consideration Excluding Other
Causes
Patient is under 60, so Normal thyroid and
secondary causes like metabolic labs make
hemochromatosis must be hypothyroidism and other
excluded. metabolic disorders unlikely.
Screening Efficiency
Ferritin and transferrin saturation are sensitive and specific for
detecting iron overload in hemochromatosis.
صفحه 8:
Why Other Tests Are Less Appropriate
Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Unlikely rheumatoid arthritis due to
asymmetrical joint involvement
and absence of typical RA features.
Erythrocyte
Sedimentation Rate
(ESR)
Nonspecific inflammation marker;
does not identify CPPD or
secondary causes.
Antinuclear Antibodies
(ANA)
Not indicated; no clinical signs of
lupus or autoimmune disease.
صفحه 9:
Summary of Key Clinical and Diagnostic Features
Target population
‘A. Symptomatic | 8. Asymptomatic
Step1 = ee
[' denen ee ۰ ‘1st degree relative of HH
Normal <45% and | meng aa
200-200
Step 2 No further iron
evaluation
Heterozygote C282Y
‘of non-C282Y
Ferritin < 1000 & Ferritin > 1000 ۲
4 nommal ALTIAST elevated ALTIAST
Step 3 | Exclude other liver or 1 1
blood diseases. ‘Therapeutic Liver biopsy for HIC
Liver biopsy+ phiebotomy | and histopathology
Chondrocalcinosis Synovial Fluid Crystals
Cartage caleticatlon seen on weet Kays Posvely brat
Hooked Osteophytes
‘characterise raslagraphichoaing at MCP jolts 5 3
صفحه 10:
Clinical Takeaways and
Next Steps
Confirm Diagnosis
Use synovial fluid analysis and radiographs to establish CPPD.
Screen Secondary Causes
Order serum ferritin and transferrin saturation to rule out
hemochromatosis in younger patients.
Manage Symptoms
Initiate NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or colchicine for acute
flares; monitor chronic joint damage.