Gout and pseudogout Flashcards
What is the primary difference between gout and pseudogout in terms of crystal composition?
Gout involves monosodium urate crystals, while pseudogout involves calcium pyrophosphate crystals.
What shape do the crystals in gout typically take under polarized light?
Needle-shaped crystals.
What shape do the crystals in pseudogout typically take under polarized light?
Rhomboid-shaped crystals
What condition is associated with calcification around the dens in pseudogout?
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD)
What is the typical joint most affected by gout?
The first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.
Which imaging finding is common in pseudogout but not in gout?
Chondrocalcinosis
Which patient demographic is most commonly affected by gout?
Middle-aged men.
What is the classic appearance of gouty arthritis in advanced cases?
“Boxing glove” deformity
What is the most common trigger for acute gout attacks?
Dietary excess of purine-rich foods or alcohol consumption.
What lab test is often elevated in patients with gout?
Serum uric acid levels.
What is a key diagnostic feature of gout on joint aspiration?
Presence of negatively birefringent needle-shaped urate crystals under polarized light.
What is the key diagnostic feature of pseudogout on joint aspiration?
Presence of positively birefringent rhomboid-shaped calcium pyrophosphate crystals.
What medications are commonly used for the acute treatment of gout?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and corticosteroids.
What is the first-line long-term management strategy for gout?
Uric acid-lowering therapy such as allopurinol or febuxostat.
Which condition is associated with “tophi” formation in chronic disease?
Gout
