PARADIAPHYSEAL CALCIFIC TENDINITIS WITH CORTICAL BONE EROSION

Objective. To determine the clinical, radiologic, and histologic featu res of calcific tendinitis with cortical bone erosion. Methods. The re cords of 6 patients with paradiaphyseal calcific tendinitis and adjace nt bone cortex erosion were reviewed. Results. Calcific tendinitis inv olved the linea aspera in 4 patients, the bicipital groove in 1 patien t, and the deltoid insertion in another, Calcium deposits were associa ted with cortical bone erosions, revealed on plain radiographs in 4 pa tients and computed tomography scans in 2. Bone scans were performed i n 2 patients and showed local hyperfixation of the isotope. In 4 patie nts, suspicion of a neoplasm led to a biopsy. Calcium deposits appeare d to be surrounded by a foreign body reaction with numerous giant cell s. Apatite crystals were identified by transmission electron microscop y and elemental analysis in 1 surgical sample. Conclusion. Paradiaphys eal calcific tendinitis with cortical bone erosion is an uncommon pres entation of apatite deposition disease.