The structural consequences of calcium crystal deposition.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are the most common calcium-containing crystals associated with rheumatic disease. Clinical manifestations of calcium crystal deposition include acute or chronic inflammatory and degenerative arthritides and certain forms of periarthritis. The intra-articular presence of BCP crystals correlates with the degree of radiographic degeneration. Calcium crystal deposition contributes directly to joint degeneration. Vascular calcification is caused by the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in the arterial intima. These deposits may contribute to local inflammation and promote further calcification, thus aggravating the atherosclerotic process. Calcium crystal deposition results in substantial structural consequence in humans.
Division of Rheumatology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Laura
L
Durcan
Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Ferdia
F
Bolster
Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Eoin C
EC
Kavanagh
Division of Rheumatology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. Electronic address: g.mccarthy@ucd.ie.
Geraldine M
GM
McCarthy
D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D002131:Calcium Pyrophosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C020243:calcium phosphate; D002131:Calcium Pyrophosphate
Arthritis; Atherosclerosis; Basic calcium phosphate; Calcium crystals; Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate; Vascular calcification