Imaging of arthropathies. Crystal disease.

The crystalline arthropathies are a heterogeneous group of biochemical disorders that share the common feature of crystal deposition in and around joints. These metabolic derangements result in a variety of clinical symptoms, radiographic signs, and pathologic abnormalities. The diagnosis of these disorders usually is straightforward when typical articular symptoms are present and characteristic radiographs or joint crystals are obtained. Current concepts regarding crystal-associated arthropathies are reviewed along with a discussion of their often distinctive radiographic appearances.