Massive articular chondrocalcinosis. Its occurrence with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposits in nucleus pulposus.

We studied a case of long-standing chondrocalcinosis that after 40 years affected almost all fibrocartilages, hyaline cartilages, and articular cavities within the subject. Massive deposits of dihydrocalcium pyrophosphate (CPP) were also found in nonfissured nucleus pulposus of the vertebral disks. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CPP deposits in these disks.