title: Urate crystals deposition in the feet of overweight juveniles and those with symptomatic hyperuricemia: a dual-energy CT study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study evaluated the clinical value of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for detecting urate crystals in juveniles with symptomatic hyperuricemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 24 juveniles (15 male and 9 female) who presented with symptomatic hyperuricemia. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.4 kg/m2 (standard deviation, SD 11.3 kg/m2). Fifteen juveniles (71.4%) were overweight. DECT scans of the feet were performed. For post-processing, a color-coding gout software protocol was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urate crystals deposition was observed in 21/24 (87.5%) juveniles with symptomatic hyperuricemia. Urate crystals were detected in or around the anatomic site included the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints (5/24, 20.8%); the calcaneus (5/24, 20.8%); any other toe joints (3/24, 12.5%); the astragalus (3/24, 12.5%); the ankle joints (3/24, 12.5%); the metatarsals (2/24, 8.3%); the cuboid (1/24, 4.2%); and other parts of the feet (2/24, 8.3%). Importantly, urate crystals deposition weas located in the soft tissue (tendon/tendon insertion sites/entheses) around the above-mentioned sites in a majority of these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urate crystals deposition can be detected by dual-energy CT in the feet of symptomatic hyperuricemia juveniles. DECT can be a valuable diagnostic tool for helping diagnose in juvenile gout.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Shiling
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Yunyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yazhen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Di
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006073:Gout / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014527:Uric Acid