Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease of the Temporomandibular Joint

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPDD) is a rare crystal arthropathy characterized by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in joint spaces, episodes of synovitis, and radiological features of chondrocalcinosis.1,2 While the disease is most prevalent in the shoulders, pelvis, knees, and joints of the hands, the axial skeleton can be affected, but rarely involves the skull base.2–4When involved, CPDD can cause symptoms mimicking more common neuro-logical and neurosurgical pathologies.2,5Wepresent a patient who was recently treated at our institution whose pathology demonstrated CPDD. Case Report The patient is a 51-year-old right-handed Caucasian woman with a 12-month history of left ear pain that originated from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), with some associate