CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE DIHYDRATE DEPOSITION DISEASE OF ELBOW WITH ULNAR NERVE NEUROPATHY: A CASE REPORT

Crystal deposition disorders are one of the causes of inflammatory arthropathy. A rare variety of this disorder is Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate deposition disease. It is usually seen in the elderly and progresses as calcifications in and around the joint i.e. Chondrocalcinosis with repeated synovitis leading to degenerative changes of large and unusual or non-weight-bearing joints. It is a case report of 43 years housewife with a gradually enlarging mass at posteromedial aspect of the left elbow with ulnar nerve weakness for 1 year. Radiographs revealed degenerative joint with periarticular calcifications. The electrodiagnostic test showed ulnar nerve demyelination and axonal neuropathy. Surgical excision with decompression of ulnar nerve was done. Histopathology revealed features consistent with Pseudogout. Subsequent follow-up resulted in improvement of nerve function with no clinicoradiological evidence of recurrence. So, degenerative changes with periarticular calcifications in non-weight-bearing joints should be suspected for pseudogout. It may be associated with compressive neuropathy.