Periarticular calcification mimicking inflammatory polyarthritis in chronic kidney disease

Abstract EN

Periarticular calcification is a frequent radiographic manifestation in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

However, clinical presentation as inflammatory periarthritis, tenosynovitis, and bursitis is unusual.

A 34-year-old man with CKD on dialysis for three years presented with painful swollen joints.

His adherence to regular dialysis, phosphate binders, Vitamin D supplements, and antihypertension therapy was poor.

He had swelling of the right thumb, index, and little fingers; periarticular swelling of the left middle finger and right little toe; and extensor tenosynovitis of the wrists and right olecranon bursitis.

Laboratory investigations showed the following: urea 36 mmol/L; creatinine 1764 umol/L; serum urate 0.37 mmol/L; corrected calcium 1.76 mmol/L; phosphate 4.32 mmol/L; 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol 30 ng/mL; and parathyroid hormone 104 pmol/L.

Radiographs showed periarticular calcification corresponding to the sites of inflammation.

The inflammation resolved with oral steroids.

In our patient, deranged mineral and bone metabolism contributed to periarticular calcification at multiple sites, mimicking inflammatory polyarthritis.