[Familiar chondrocalcinosis: a story for two brothers].

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition is frequently an asymptomatic disease. However it may cause severe acute attacks of inflammatory arthritis as well as chronic arthropathies. The authors present two case reports of two brothers with chondrocalcinosis and an unusual presentation that mimics rheumatoid arthritis. Special considerations are made about the differences between the familiar and idiopathic forms.