title: Clinical utility of dual-energy CT for evaluation of tophaceous gout.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. mdgole@gmail.com
authors.forename: Madhura A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Hillary Warren
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Garner
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kransdorf
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D015210:Arthritis, Gouty / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D003460:Crystallization; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000150:complications; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid