Evidence for a causal relationship between the structure, size, and load of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, and attacks of pseudogout

There may be an association between the size and nature of the calcium crystals deposited in synovial fluid of pseudogout patients during an episode of inflammation. Pseudogout is an inflammatory joint disease characterized by calcium salt deposits in the affected joint fluid. Researchers analyzed and compared the crystals found in the knee joint fluid of 9 patients with pseudogout during and following an inflammatory episode. There were significantly more calcium salt deposits present in the joint fluid samples taken during an inflammatory episode as compared to the samples taken following the episode. The ratio of larger, symmetrical calcium crystals (monoclinic) to smaller, asymmetrical calcium crystals (triclinic) was higher during an inflammatory episode. This evidence suggests that the monoclinic calcium crystals play a role in the inflammation process.