title: Intraarticular apatite crystal deposition as a predictor of erosive osteoarthritis of the fingers.
abstract: Two patients are described who presented with a chronic effusion with calcium containing particles, considered as apatite, in one finger joint. After a followup of several years, these joints presented erosive changes on radiographs, which raises the question of the pathogenic role of apatite crystals.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gerster
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000032:analysis*; D003460:Crystallization; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites