Tissue changes detectable by sonography before radiological evidence of elbow chondrocalcinosis

Chondrocalcinosis is a joint disease caused by deposits of calcium pyrophos phate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals with manifestations that may include interm ittent attacks of acute arthritis or enthesitis. if no crystals are found O n synovial analysis, the diagnosis,in clinical practice is based on typical radiographic findings, although it is now recognized that some signs of th e disease could also be seen by ultrasound. We studied six patients with el bow enthesopathy without radiographic evidence of CPPD that presented ultra sound findings suggesting joint calcification. On the basis of these echogr aphic findings, the diagnosis was then ascertained by x-ray examination of the most commonly involved joints. Ultrasound is a method of proven interes t in the evaluation of rheumatic patients and could be an important tool in diagnosing CPPD.