Clinical utility of dual-energy CT for evaluation of tophaceous gout.

Madhura A Desai, Jeffrey J Peterson, Hillary Warren Garner, Mark J Kransdorf

Journal: Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc 2012;31(5):1365-75; discussion 1376-7

PMID: 21918049

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Abstract

Although diagnosing gout generally is straightforward, atypical disease may present a challenge if it is associated with unusual symptoms or sites, discordant serum urate level, or mimics of gout. Dual-energy computed tomography (CT) may be used to differentiate urate crystals from calcium by using specific attenuation characteristics, which may help diagnose gout. In patients with known tophaceous gout, dual-energy CT may be used for serial volumetric quantification of subclinical tophi to evaluate response to treatment. Given the utility of dual-energy CT in challenging cases and its ability to provide an objective outcomes measure in patients with tophaceous gout, dual-energy CT promises to be a unique and clinically relevant modality in the diagnosis and management of gout.

Address: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1148/rg.315115510

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MeSH Terms: Arthritis, Arthritis, Gouty, Calcinosis, Crystallization, Diagnosis, Differential, Equipment Design, Foot Deformities, Acquired, Hand Deformities, Acquired, Humans, Hyperuricemia, Osteomyelitis, Synovial Fluid, Tendinopathy, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Uric Acid