Gout Hand Images Compared

Gout Hand Images Compared

This is my review of a gout hand imaging study. In which I will explain the key points for gout sufferers. So this is for people who are concerned about gout imaging for diagnosis and treatment. Because it helps you discuss your uric acid concerns with health professionals. In the hope that you can understand and contribute to your doctor’s gout management plan.

Citation for Gout Hand Images Compared

This is a GoutPal review of:
Boesen, Mikael, Frank W. Roemer, Mikkel Østergaard, Mario Maas, Lene Terslev, and Ali Guermazi. “Imaging of Common Rheumatic Joint Diseases Affecting the Upper Limbs.” Radiologic Clinics 57, no. 5 (2019): 1001-1034.

At the time of writing, this study has been cited by 1 other study.

Note: This study covers several types of arthritis. With a view to guiding clinicians on the best use of different imaging technologies. In order to differentiate between different forms of arthritis. But I have focussed on the section about gout.

Gout Hand Images Compared Purpose

As I’ve restricted my review to part of this study, its purpose is not significant to gout sufferers. Nor does my usual format of explaining the abstract apply. So I will present the original abstract. That I believe is jargon-free. Then I present the findings of the study instead of conclusions.

Original Abstract

Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatic diseases of the upper limb. Many rheumatic diseases present with similar clinical pictures, especially in the early stages. Imaging findings in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases often are nonspecific, especially in the early stages. Imaging findings should be interpreted in light of the clinical context—clinical and paraclinical findings. Good referrals with short clinical history, main clinical findings, disease-involved joint(s), pain distribution, and relevant blood tests increase the likelihood of a correct diagnosis.

Gout Hand Images Compared Findings

Imaging can help assess the effectiveness of treatment for gout recovery.

evidence and small open-label studies have even shown that after successful treatment gouty erosions can heal and joints can return to near normal configuration.

In addition to conventional X-rays. There are three types of imaging that help gout diagnosis – MRI, ultrasound, and DECT.

MRI can help with the diagnosis of advanced gout. By identifying inflammation and damage within and around the joints. Note that joint preservation in gout is relatively better, which can be important for differentiating between other forms of arthritis.

The distribution of intra-articular and periarticular inflammation, erosions, and the relative joint-sparing are clues toward a diagnosis of gout.

Ultrasound is recognized as a valid, non-invasive gout diagnostic tool.

The US definitions for gout-specific lesions were validated in 2015 to ensure homogeneity among future studies and in clinical practice.

DECT is changing the way gout is diagnosed and managed. Especially given the ability to measure the volume of uric acid crystals in the body. Thus reducing the need to draw joint fluid for microscopic analysis.

DECT has become the recommended modality to diagnose urate distribution around the joint in 3-D and even automatically calculate the volume of urate […] DECT has reduced the need for aspiration of joint fluid and phase-contrast microscopic analysis to make the diagnosis.

Comparison of CT Scan to DECT Scan of Gouty Hand

Cited By

Gout In Hands Diagnosis and Treatment
This review is part of my preparation for an article about diagnosing and treating gout in the hands. So if you want to be informed when I publish it, please see my Gout Update Service.

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Gout Hand Images Compared Vocabulary

  • DECT (Dual Energy Computed Tomography)

    – a non-invasive test that uses both the normal X-ray and also a second less powerful X-ray to make the images.

  • intra-articular

    – within joints

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

    – a non-invasive test that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.

  • periarticular

    – around joints

  • ultrasound

    – a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body

  • urate

    – uric acid (see MSU – monosodium urate)