title: Osteoarthrosis and apatite synovitis. Pathological study of a metacarpophalangeal joint.
abstract: A case of metacarpophalangeal osteoarthrosis associated with synovial apatite deposits is reported. The size of the crystals indicates that they have been thickened by a recrystallization process; the latter could have been provoked by Ca and Po4 ions released by dissolution of some apatite crystals brought by calcified debris of bone or cartilage coming from the abraded osteoarthrotic surfaces. The role of such thickened crystals in synovial inflammation is discussed as well as their possible diagnostic value in determining origin and pathogenesis of a given synovial apatite deposit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology (Osteoarticular Unit), University of Geneva Medical School, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagier
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Baud
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lacotte
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gerster
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites