The Comparison Between X-ray, CT And MR Findings Of Gouty Arthritis

OBJECTIVE To compare the application features of X-ray, CT and MR in gouty arthritis and to analyse the relationship between clinical features and imaging findings.MATERIALS AND METHODS We chose 54 joints of 33 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of gouty arthritis.The blood uric acid of patients were tested and their clinical data were recorded. X-ray, CTå’ŒMRI examinations were tested. The evaluating indicators of imaging findings included soft tissue and bone tophi,bone erosion, soft tissue swelling, hydrops articuli, synovial thickness and bone marrow edema.RESULTS The tophi in the soft tissue and bone were detected in 10 (18.5%) subjects by X-ray,32(59.3%) subjects by CT and 38(70.4%) subjects by MR, P<0.005 (X-ray vs CT vs MR, X-ray vs CT, X-ray vs MR), P=0.227>0.05 (CT vs MR); Soft tissue swelling were detected in 17 (31.5%) subjects by X-ray,38(70.4%) subjects by CT and 54 (100%) subjects by MR, P<0.005 (X-ray vs CT vs MR, X-ray vs CT, X-ray vs MR, CT vs MR); Hydrops articuli were detected in 28 (51.9%) subjects by CT and 46 (85.2%) subjects by MR(P<0.01); 50(92.6%) subjects had synovial thickness,35(64.8%) subjects had bone marrow oedema. There was a significant relationship between the tophi and bone edema (P<0.01). The duration of gout was also significant between tophi positive group and tophi negative group by Indepentdent-Samples T Test (P<0.01). Bone erosion and duration of illness were main factors of gout formation by Logistic Regression (p=0.000)CONCLUSION MR is superior to CT and X-ray on the early diagnosis of gout. Duration of illness is correlated with the formation of tophi. Bone erosion may promote the formation of tophi.