PSEUDOGOUT - A DIAGNOSTIC CLUE TO HYPERPARATHYROIDISM

1. 1. Six patients have been encountered with concomitant hyperparathyroidism and the pseudogout syndrome. Diagnosis of pseudogout was first made postoperatively in three. In the other three patients, because of the presence of pseudogout, hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed by intent. 2. 2. The clinical picture in conjunction with radiologic findings of chondrocalcinosis in these patients is consistent with pseudogout. The presence of crystals characteristic of calcium pyrophosphate in the joint fluid in patients with acute attacks is confirmatory. 3. 3. It is believed that in some patients the presence of pseudogout may serve as a clinical clue to the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism, as is the case with osteitis fibrosa, renal calculus, peptic ulcer, and pancreatitis. © 1969.