title: Crystal arthropathy of the lumbar spine: a report of 4 cases.
abstract: Gout or pseudogout, caused by deposition of crystals, rarely affects the spine. We report 4 cases with gout or pseudogout in the lumbar spine. Two had cauda equina syndrome and another 2 had spinal stenosis. To avoid unnecessary surgery, this should be considered in the differential diagnosis when treating patients with histories of gout or pseudogout for spinal problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong. imfiona2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Fung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001175:Arthrography; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery