Chronic destructive elbow arthropathy associated with hydroxyapatite crystals in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

J Clin Rheumatol. 2006 Aug;12(4):194-5. doi: 10.1097/01.rhu.0000231357.66649.51.

Abstract

We describe the case of a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with painful acute swelling and limited motion of the elbow. Analysis of synovial fluid exhibited a noninflammatory cell count, negative cultures, amorphous nonbirefringent particles, and a positive Alizarin red S staining. X-rays showed calcifications, spurring, sclerosis, and despite the short duration of symptoms, loss of radial-humeral and cubital-humeral joint spaces. The diagnosis of an acute attack within a chronic degenerative arthropathy of the elbow associated with hydroxyapatite crystals was established. Such crystal-induced arthropathy can be an occasional explanation for acute arthritis in SLE.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthritis / diagnostic imaging
  • Arthritis / etiology*
  • Arthritis / metabolism*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Durapatite / metabolism*
  • Elbow Joint*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Durapatite