title: Pyrophosphate arthropathy.
abstract: A scanning electron microscopic study of six cases of pyrophosphate arthropathy has been conducted. In the majority of cases the crystals were rectangular. In some cases giant crystals were present. In one case, the crystals were pyramidal. It is concluded that many geometrically different forms of calcium pyrophosphate crystal exist and that the scanning electron microscope is a useful tool in the differentiation of pyrophosphate arthropathy from other forms of crystal synovitis.
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011756:Diphosphates / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties; D013585:Synovitis / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D011756:Diphosphates