Gout of the axial joint-A patient level systemic review

Gout is the osteoarticular expression of hyperuricemia, resulting from excessive production and/or insufficient elimination of uric acid. Emerging case reports described the deposition of mono sodium urate in the spine as a rare manifestation of gout, we aimed in revealing the full picture of reported axial joint gout (AJG).

We performed a systemic patient level review focused on characteristics of reported cases of axial joint involvement in gout.

A total of 127 studies (142 cases) were identified as axial joint gout. Most of the cases were reported by neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons (19.7% and 17.6%, respectively),low back and neck pain and weakness of limbs were presented in 113 cases, most of the cases (77.5%) were diagnosed via operation or aspiration. Although CT and MRI was the most popular imaging method, 8 cases underwent DECT avoided surgery had marked improvement.

The incidence of AJG was underestimated and the IAJG exist independent of peripheral arthritis. AJG should be suspected when back pain and neurological involvement occurred in the risky populations. DECT would be a promising technique to initiate the earlier intervention complimentary to invasive procedures or operations.