Arbel, R.: Pseudogout of the wrist presenting as acute median nerve compression./ Hand Surg

Two cases are reported of acute median nerve compression due to calcium pyrophosphate deposition in the wrist, masquerading as a septic condition. There have been recent reports in the literature of the effects of calcium pyrophosphate in joints of the upper limb (Resnick 1983 and Hensley, 1983) These conditions are uncommon and the presentation and initial symptomatology of our case led in the first patient to misdiagnosis and an unnecessary operation, which was avoided in the second case. Case One A seventy year old doctor’s wife was admitted to our department complaining of severe paraesthesiae in the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the right hand, and severe pain over the volar aspect of the right wrist. A week prior to her admission she had complained to her husband of “tingling ” in the fingers especially at night. He made a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and treated his wife with two injections into the carpa