27/09/2026
Pseudogout (Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition โ CPPD Disease)
โOften mistaken for classic gout, Pseudogout occurs when calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals accumulate in joint cartilage and surrounding tissues, triggering sudden, painful inflammation.
โKey Pearls to Remember:
โMost Common Joint: Knee (followed by the wrist and shoulder)
โCrystal Appearance: Rhomboid-shaped crystals with weakly positive birefringence under polarized light microscopy (unlike gout's needle-shaped, negatively birefringent crystals)
โRadiography: Often shows chondrocalcinosis (calcification of articular cartilage)
โAssociated Conditions: Frequently linked with hyperparathyroidism, hemochromatosis, and hypothyroidism
โAcute Management: NSAIDs, intra-articular corticosteroids, or colchicine to settle inflammation
โSave this study sheet for your rheumatology and pharmacology rotations!
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