Spinal Involvement in Gout: A Review
Gout is characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals on the surface of the articular cartilage, within periarticular tissues, and within bone and skin. Identification of tophi indicates a definitive diagnosis of gout. Tophi are most often seen in tissues that have a poor blood supply and low temperature, such as the ear helix and first metatarsophalangeal joint. Gouty arthritis involving the spine is a rare condition. In literature, 91 previous cases have been reported. When the clinical presentation includes spine pain and fever, differentiation of spinal gout from spinal infection may be difficult. In the present paper, pathophysiology, clinical and radiological findings and treatment strategies of spine involvement in gout disease was reviewed in the reports.
Keywords : Gout, spine, clinical findings