[Generalized periarticular calcinosis. Generalized hydroxylapatite disease].

The complex of symptoms know as generalized periarticular calcinosis is a disease observed clinically as occurring in periods lasting only a few days, and with a mainly monoarticular arthritic or tenosynovitis character which may be localized in various joints. A primary chronic course of the disease is rare. Crucial for the diagnosis is the demonstration of multiple periarticular calcifications, which can be identified biochemically as hydroxyapatite. The calcification probably initiates the burst of inflammation, and for this reason the symptoms can be certainly classified pathogenically as a crystalline synovitis. Etiologically, the disease is probably due to both genetic and acquired metabolic anomalies. Modification of calcification cannot be undertaken in our present ignorance of the exact pathogenesis, and for this reason the therapy of generalized periarthritis must remain symptomatic. The effect of non-steroid antiphlogistics, corticosteroids and colchicin is, however, unsatisfactory.