Arthritis can result from intra-articular deposition of crystals: monosodium urate, Ca pyrophosphate dihydrate, basic Ca phosphate (apatite), and, rarely, others such as Ca oxalate crystals. Diagnosis requires synovial fluid analysis (see Approach to the Patient With Joint Disease: Synovial fluid examination). Polarized light microscopy is used to specifically identify most crystals; basic Ca phosphate crystals are of ultramicroscopic size and require other methods. Crystals may be engulfed in WBCs or may be extracellular. The presence of crystals does not exclude the possibility of simultaneous infectious or other inflammatory forms of arthritis.

Last full review/revision February 2013 by Lawrence M. Ryan, MD

Content last modified February 2013