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Pseudogout is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of calcium pyrophosphate . It is therefore a form of crystal arthritis, and - as its name indicates - often misdiagnosed as gout. Gout is caused by urate crystals.Patients with pseudogout usually also have chondrocalcinosis , deposits of calcium in the cartilage. Shedding of crystals into the joint produces an acute synovitis which resembles gout.
Pseudogout is more common in women and usually affects the knee or wrist.
Diagnosis is by microscopy of fluid from a joint aspiration . Rhomboidal crystals should be seen under the microscope and X-rays of the joint may show signs of chondrocalcinosis .
Joint aspiration reduces the pain but it may be necessary to use some combination of oral NSAIDs, colchicine and an intra-articular injection of a corticosteroid to control the pain. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can remove the crystals already present around the joint area.
Rheumatology
