title: Erosive arthritis associated with apatite crystal deposition.
abstract: Apatite crystals can be associated with erosive arthritis. This report describes 3 such patients, 2 of whom had idiopathic apatite crystal deposition and 1 who had apatite related to renal failure and chronic dialysis. Diagnosis was delayed for several years in 1 patient. Roentgenograms showed calcifications in all patients. Synovial fluid had non-birefringent chunks and globules suggestive of apatite. Diagnosis was established by electron microscopy in all 3 patients with verified by x-ray diffraction in 2.
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000378:metabolism*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications; D003460:Crystallization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites