crystalinduced
Crystalinduced is a term used to describe diseases and processes driven by crystalline particles forming or accumulating in biological tissues, leading to inflammation, tissue injury, or dysfunction. It covers inflammatory crystal arthropathies as well as crystal-related disorders across organs. Crystals can provoke immune responses when deposited in tissue; phagocytosis by neutrophils or macrophages often activates inflammatory pathways, notably the NLRP3 inflammasome, with release of cytokines such as IL-1β. They can also cause mechanical irritation and local damage.
The best-known crystal-induced conditions are gout, caused by monosodium urate crystals in joints, and calcium pyrophosphate
Diagnosis typically combines clinical assessment with imaging and analysis of crystals in body fluids. In synovial
Management targets both acute inflammation and long-term crystal burden. Acute flares are treated with NSAIDs, colchicine,