Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease, also known as pseudogout, is a disease that causes inflammatory arthropathy in peripheral joints, however, symptomatic involvement of the intervertebral disc is uncommon. Herein, we describe a 59-yr-old patient who presented with cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient showed an epidural mass-like lesion at the disc space of L4-L5, which was compressing the thecal sac. Biopsy of the intervertebral disc and epidural mass-like lesion was determined to be CPPD deposits. We reviewed previously reported cases of pseudogout involving the lumbar intervertebral disc and discuss the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease.
Neutrophilic myositis is a very rare disease histologically characterized by neutrophil infiltration of muscle tissues. We report a case of a 47-year-old man who presented with acute onset of severe swelling and pain on his left shoulder with high fever. He was initially suspected of having cellulitis, but intravenous antibiotics did not improve his symptoms. Similar swelling and pain then developed on both calves. Investigations with magnetic resonance imaging of the lower legs and muscle biopsy led to a diagnosis of neutrophilic myositis. High dose glucocorticoid dramatically improved his symptoms within days. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare disease as a cause of acute febrile myositis mimicking infection. (J Rheum Dis 2017;24:161-164)
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