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Title: |
Acute Monoarticular Maltese Cross–like Crystal Associated Arthritis | |||||||||||||||||||
| Authors: | Sajini E. Jacob, M.D., D.N.B., Renu G. Varghese, M.D., D.C.P., D.N.B., Erli A. Ivan, M.D., and Ramji Rai, M.D., D.C.P. | |||||||||||||||||||
| To the Editors: Common causes of acute monoarticular arthritis are infections and crystals. Infectious agents responsible for arthritis include Neisserria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus. Monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and the basic calcium phosphate crystals can also produce arthritis. Maltese cross– appearing crystals have been described in synovial fluid in some cases of arthritis. These crystals are composed of lipids and are also referred to as liposomes, lipid liquid crystals or smetic mesophase.1 The first case of Maltese cross arthritis was described by Weinstein in 1980.2 Majority of these cases have been reported in females between the ages of 14 and 63 years. Most of these patients had monoarticular involvement. However, acute monoarticular arthritis due to Maltese cross–like crystals is a rare entity. A 17-year-old female presented to the orthopedics department with a history of pain and swelling of the left knee for 1 week. There was no history of fever or any history suggestive of tuberculosis. The left knee joint was swollen, warm and tender. Movements of the joint were restricted due to pain. No other joints were involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Keywords: | arthritis, crystallization, Maltese cross– like crystals, synovial fluid | |||||||||||||||||||
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