Gout is a group of disorders of purine metabolism which causes an excess of serum uric acid. Deposition of urate occurs in articular or extra-articular tissues. This excess of uric acid can be caused by over-production or under-excretion by the body. In both these types of patients, excessive intake of foods containing purines can contribute to hyperuricemia. Men are affected more often than women.

Distribution:
While all of the compartments of the hand and wrist are susceptible, the carpometacarpal and intercarpal joints are the most frequently involved. Asymmetric distribution is characteristic of gouty arthritis.

Radiographic Appearance:
Periarticular soft tissue swelling may be the first radiographic sign of an acute gouty attack. Soft tissue sodium urate deposits can occur with chronic gout which creates a dense mass called a tophus that can occasionally contain calcifications. This distribution is random and is usually seen on the dorsal surfaces. Osseous erosions are periarticular with sharp sclerotic margins and an asymmetric distribution. Overhanging edges with a well-defined osseous shelf at the erosive site can sometimes be seen. Loss of normal bone mineralization is not a characteristic finding of gout and if present, the osteoporotic findings are mild. Joint space narrowing does not usually present except in more advanced stages.


Differential Diagnosis:
Chronic gout may be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis as the joint spaces narrow. However, in rheumatoid arthritis, joint involvement is symmetric, erosions do not have sclerotic margins, and juxta-articular osteoporosis may be present. Osteoarthritis may also be mistaken for gout and can also occur concurrently.

 

 

Introduction
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Gout
Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
Hemochromatosis
Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis
Sarcoidosis
Scleroderma
Silastic Arthritis
Septic Arthritis
Summary
References