Imaging of gout: findings and utility

Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(3):232. doi: 10.1186/ar2687. Epub 2009 Jun 17.

Abstract

Imaging is a helpful tool for clinicians to evaluate diseases that induce chronic joint inflammation. Chronic gout is associated with changes in joint structures that may be evaluated with diverse imaging techniques. Plain radiographs show typical changes only in advanced chronic gout. Computed tomography may best evaluate bone changes, whereas magnetic resonance imaging is suitable to evaluate soft tissues, synovial membrane thickness, and inflammatory changes. Ultrasonography is a tool that may be used in the clinical setting, allowing evaluation of cartilage, soft tissues, urate crystal deposition, and synovial membrane inflammation. Also ultrasound-guided puncture may be useful for obtaining samples for crystal observation. Any of these techniques deserve some consideration for feasibility and implementation both in clinical practice and as outcome measures for clinical trials. In clinical practice they may be considered mainly for evaluating the presence and extent of crystal deposition, and structural changes that may impair function or functional outcomes, and also to monitor the response to urate-lowering therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diagnostic Imaging / statistics & numerical data*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / trends*
  • Gout / diagnosis*
  • Gout / pathology
  • Gout / therapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / statistics & numerical data
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / trends
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / statistics & numerical data
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / trends