Current Techniques in the Imaging of Gout

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis with well-described imaging characteristics. Radiography depicts erosive change and in advanced cases, tophus deposition near joints and in association with tendons or bursae. Computed tomography demonstrates the same features but may also use dual-energy or photon-counting techniques that allow for tissue composition analysis and the specific identification of monosodium urate deposition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in identifying tophi and the damage associated with gout, such as bone erosion and cartilage loss in advanced cases. MRI also helps differentiate gout from other types of inflammatory arthritis, infection, or tumor that may have a similar clinical presentation. Ultrasound is widely used in the diagnosis of gout and also useful in procedural guidance of joint aspiration or soft tissue biopsy.