title: Prospective use of intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide in pseudogout.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively assess the efficacy of intramuscular (i.m.) triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of pseudogout.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients with crystal proven pseudogout presenting with an acute attack within 5 days of onset were treated with intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide 60 mg and followed for 30 days. Patients with inadequate response were eligible for a 2nd triamcinolone acetonide injection on Day 1-2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients had contraindication to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAID). Acute arthritis was monoarticular in 10 patients, and involved 2 or more joints in 4 patients. All patients had good clinical response to triamcinolone acetonide based on restoration of near baseline joint range of motion and joint circumference, and at least 50% improvement in patient and physician global assessment. Major clinical improvement occurred by Day 1-2 (2 patients), Day 3-4 (11 patients), and Day 10-14 (one patient). Six patients required a 2nd triamcinolone acetonide injection on Day 1-2. Toxicities were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  I.m. triamcinolone acetonide appears to be safe, well tolerated, and effective in the treatment of pseudogout. It may be a reasonable alternative therapy when NSAID are contraindicated, and for polyarticular attacks where intraarticular corticosteroids are impractical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, CA, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Roane
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Finger
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jarek
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alloway
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Venanzi
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Drehmer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide