Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: Impact of Ultrasonography

• Published in: Nucleosides, nucleotides & nucleic acids Vol. 27; no. 6-7; pp. 592 - 595
• Main Authors: Puig, J. G., de Miguel, E., Castillo, M. C., Rocha, A. López, Martínez, M. A., Torres, R. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01-06-2008
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; gout; Gout - complications; Gout - diagnostic imaging; Gout - metabolism; Gout - pathology; Humans; hyperuricemia; Hyperuricemia - complications; Hyperuricemia - diagnostic imaging; Hyperuricemia - metabolism; Hyperuricemia - pathology; Inflammation - complications; Inflammation - diagnostic imaging; Inflammation - metabolism; Inflammation - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; tophus; Ultrasonography; Uric acid
• ISSN: 1525-7770; 1532-2335
• DOI: 10.1080/15257770802136040

Thirty-five patients (23 males) with asymptomatic hyperuricemia for at least two years underwent two-dimensioal ultrasonography of knees and ankles. Urate deposits (tophi) in tendons, synovium, and other soft tissues were detected in 12 patients (34%). Increased vascularity (inflammation) was evident in 8 of these patients (23%). Tophi were more frequently found in knees than in ankles and were especially prevalent in the distal patellar tendon. The presence of tophi was unrelated to the known duration of hyperuricemia (mean, 5 years). Ultrasonography allows detection of tophi and inflammation in a third and in a fourth, respectively, of asymptomatic hyperuricemic patients.