Chronic destructive elbow arthropathy associated with hydroxyapatite crystals in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
We describe the case of a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with painful acute swelling and limited motion of the elbow. Analysis of synovial fluid exhibited a noninflammatory cell count, negative cultures, amorphous nonbirefringent particles, and a positive Alizarin red S staining. X-rays showed calcifications, spurring, sclerosis, and despite the short duration of symptoms, loss of radial-humeral and cubital-humeral joint spaces. The diagnosis of an acute attack within a chronic degenerative arthropathy of the elbow associated with hydroxyapatite crystals was established. Such crystal-induced arthropathy can be an occasional explanation for acute arthritis in SLE.
Hernández-Molina
Gabriela
G
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Crispín
José C
JC
Kimura-Hayama
Eric
E
Rull-Gabayet
Marina
M
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017886:Durapatite / Q000378:metabolism*; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography
D017886:Durapatite