Crystal shedding and acute pseudogout. An hypothesis based on a therapeutic failure

Arthritis Rheum. 1976 Jan-Feb;19(1):93-7. doi: 10.1002/art.1780190116.

Abstract

Four patients with chondrocalcinosis of the knees volunteered for joint lavage. Preliminary experiments indicated that disodium EDTA and magnesium ions were potent solubilizers of CPPD crystals. The procedure was a therapeutic failure in that insignificant amounts of CPPD were removed and all 4 subjects developed postlavage attacks of pseudogout. It is hypothesized that the acute attack of pseudogout is a result of crystal shedding and may be triggered by any factor that enhances CPPD solubility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Calcium Phosphates* / metabolism
  • Chondrocalcinosis / drug therapy
  • Chondrocalcinosis / etiology*
  • Crystallization
  • Diphosphates / metabolism
  • Edetic Acid / adverse effects*
  • Edetic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint* / metabolism
  • Magnesium Sulfate / adverse effects*
  • Magnesium Sulfate / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Solubility
  • Synovial Fluid / analysis
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / adverse effects

Substances

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Diphosphates
  • Magnesium Sulfate
  • Edetic Acid