title: Chondrocalcinosis and haemophilia.
abstract: Chondrocalcinosis has been found in a wide variety of diseases. Cartilage calcification is commonly noted in patients with haemochromatosis, but it has not been previously reported in haemophilia, although increased levels of iron are present in the joints in both these conditions. The radiographic demonstration of chondrocalcinosis in patients with advanced joint changes due to haemophilia is precluded by the extensive joint narrowing and cartilage damage associated with the repeated haemarthroses. Cartilage calcification in less severely damaged joints of three patients with Factor VII, AHG-deficient haemophilia is described. Inhibition of pyrophosphatase activity by divalent cations as a cause of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition in cartilage is reviewed. The biomechanics of articular cartilage and the effects of divalent cations on normal cartilage elasticity are discussed. The possibility that both the development of the degenerative joint changes and the associated chondrocalcinosis may occur simultaneously due to the presence of abnormal divalent cations is suggested.
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography