[Chondrocalcinosis and hypomagnesemia: clinical and radiological progression]

Hypomagnesemia is a rare secundary metabolic disorder associated with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate cristal deposition disease in joint structures and may cause asymptomatic chondrocalcinosis (linear calcification of cartilage), pseudogout, and chronic arthropathy. We report 2 young men with relapsing acute knee monoarthritis with chondrocalcinosis and hypomagnesemia. After follow-up clinical and radiological events al least for 5 years and treatment with magnesium lactate, these patients have not shown new pseudogout attacks. We discuss knee radiological evolution in both patients, outstanding major knee radiological deterioration in the patient with early symptoms and a familial chondrocalcinosis association, in spite of clinical asymptomatic status.