Faculty Collaboration Database

The prevalence of chondrocalcinosis (CC) of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint on chest radiographs and correlation with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease. Clin Rheumatol 2013 Sep;32(9):1383-6

Date

04/24/2013

Pubmed ID

23609408

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5025023

DOI

10.1007/s10067-013-2255-x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84883222016 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   14 Citations

Abstract

Digital imaging combined with picture archiving and communication system (PACS) access allows detailed image retrieval and magnification. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals preferentially deposit in fibrocartilages, the cartilage of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint being one such structure. We sought to determine if examination of the AC joints on magnified PACS imaging of chest films would be useful in identifying chondrocalcinosis (CC). Retrospective radiographic readings and chart reviews involving 1,920 patients aged 50 or more who had routine outpatient chest radiographs over a 4-month period were performed. Knee radiographs were available for comparison in 489 patients. Medical records were reviewed to abstract demographics, chest film reports, and diagnoses. AC joint CC was identified in 1.1 % (21/1,920) of consecutive chest films. Patients with AC joint CC were 75 years of age versus 65.4 in those without CC (p < 0.0002). Four hundred eighty-nine patients had knee films. Six of these patients had AC joint CC, and of these, five also had knee CC (83 %). Of the 483 without AC joint CC, 62 (12 %) had knee CC (p = 0.002). Patients with AC joint CC were more likely to have a recorded history of CPPD crystal deposition disease than those without AC joint CC (14 versus 1 %, p = 0.0017). The prevalence of AC joint CC increases with age and is associated with knee CC. A finding of AC joint CC should heighten suspicion of pseudogout or secondary osteoarthritis in appropriate clinical settings and, in a young patient, should alert the clinician to the possibility of an associated metabolic condition.

Author List

Parperis K, Carrera G, Baynes K, Mautz A, Dubois M, Cerniglia R, Ryan LM

Authors

Keith E. Baynes MD Chief, Associate Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Melissa S. DuBois MD Associate Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Calcium Pyrophosphate
Chondrocalcinosis
Clavicle
Crystallization
Female
Humans
Joints
Knee Joint
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoarthritis
Prevalence
Radiography, Thoracic
Retrospective Studies