02/09/2024
Our today's case is from Synovial Fluid of right knee for an 55 years male from Ortho clinic, patient came with knee swelling, sample was bloody and viscosity was high, slides prepared and it was filled with Neutrophils as majority of the cells, but the important finding was the CPPD crystals that we found clearly, also few Corricosteroid crystals (light blue color)
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) is a crystal deposition arthropathy involving the synovial and periarticular tissues. Its clinical presentation may range from being asymptomatic to acute or chronic inflammatory arthritis. A buildup of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) in your affected joints causes pseudogout. The extra CPP forms small crystals that build up in the cartilage and fluid-filled synovial membranes cushioning your joints. Eventually, the CPP crystals clump together inside your joints and cause a flare of pseudogout symptoms. It is unknown why CPP crystals form. Excess iron or calcium, or low magnesium, and an abnormal thyroid gland may be contributing factors. Joint aspiration is the process of removing some fluid from the sore joint(s). This not only helps your doctor determine if you have the disease, but it also removes many of the CPPD crystals that cause the pain and swelling. Removing the crystals also can help medications work better.
