Chondrocalcinosis is a feature of Gitelman's variant of Bartter's syndrome. A new look at the hypomagnesemia associated with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease

Rev Rhum Engl Ed. 1998 Oct;65(10):571-4.

Abstract

The occurrence of chondrocalcinosis in patients with Bartter's syndrome has been reported as a typical example of hypomagnesemia-associated calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal (CPPD) deposition disease. However, hypomagnesemia is a feature of Gitelman's variant of Bartter's syndrome, whereas serum magnesium levels are normal in Bartter's syndrome strictly speaking. We managed four patients with chondrocalcinosis and hypomagnesemia who met criteria for Gitelman's disease, including hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia with normal or high urinary potassium excretion, hypocalciuria, and normal blood pressure. Based on our experience with these patients, we argue that many cases of chondrocalcinosis and hypomagnesemia ascribed in previously published articles to Bartter's syndrome were due to Gitelman's syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bartter Syndrome / classification*
  • Bartter Syndrome / complications*
  • Bartter Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Calcium / urine
  • Chondrocalcinosis / blood*
  • Chondrocalcinosis / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnesium / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Potassium / blood
  • Potassium / urine

Substances

  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium