A 27-year-old right-hand-dominant female presented to the emergency department due to severe pain in the right third finger with associated swelling, that had developed five days previously. She denied any history of trauma, fever, systemic complaints or arthralgias at other joints. On examination, she showed redness, swelling, local heat and tenderness of the radial side of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the right third finger. She had limited passive and active mobilization of the finger because of pain. No other abnormalities were noted.

The initial radiographs showed a well-circumscribed ovoid calcification adjacent to the radial and volar aspects of the PIP joint of the right third finger (Fig. 1). Laboratory investigation revealed normal leukocyte count, normal serum uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels, and a mildly elevated C-reactive protein at 10.3mg/L (normal <3.0mg/L). An ultrasound performed 3 day later demonstrated an ovoid heterogeneous calcific mass (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1.

Anteroposterior (Panel A) and lateral (Panel B) radiographs showing well-circumscribed calcification over the radial and volar aspect of the right third finger proximal interphalangeal joint (arrows).

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Fig. 2.

Ultrasound longitudinal view demonstrating an ovoid heterogeneous mass with hyperechoic foci adjacent to proximal interphalangeal joint (arrow).

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The patient was managed conservatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ice compression and immobilization.

Three weeks later, the patient experienced complete resolution of swelling and pain and exhibited full range of motion. Follow-up radiographs after two months showed complete disappearance of the calcification (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

Anteroposterior radiograph at 2 months follow-up demonstrating resolution of the calcified lesion (arrow).

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Acute calcific periarthritis is a form of hydroxyapatite deposition disease and is a rare cause of acute, severe periarticular pain in the hand.1,2 It occurs most frequently in the shoulder and wrist and patients are most commonly women with an average age of 45 years old (range 30–60), otherwise healthy.3,4

The differential diagnosis is broad and includes infectious arthritis/tenosynovitis, gout, pseudogout, fracture and tumoral conditions.2,4 Calcific periarthritis should be considered when faced with an acute painful finger, especially in the presence of calcification on radiographs or ultrasound. This would avoid unnecessary treatments such as antibiotics and surgery.2,3,5

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.