Synonyms: Arthropathy
Definition:A disease with manifestations relating directly from the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals or uric acid from hyperuricemic body fluids
What The Referring Physician Needs To Know- Imaging, such as radiographs, serves as a supportive tool in diagnosis of gout
- Imaging exclude other inflammatory arthropathies or etiologies of swelling and pain or alert clinician to consider gout as a diagnosis
- Imaging crucial in determining presence of complications of gout such as spinal cord/nerve impingement, tendon tear and articular erosions
- Radiologic findings of gout arthropathy typically manifest after 6 or more years of disease being present