Unusual presentations of gout. Tips for accurate diagnosis

In cases of unusual presentations, such as the three cases described here, gout or gouty arthritis may be misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, or other rheumatic conditions and thus inappropriately treated. Microscopic analysis using compensated polarized light and culture of synovial fluid helps distinguish gouty arthritis from other arthropathies, and the presence of monosodium urate crystals establishes the diagnosis of gout. When gout is suspected, yet the initial examination does not reveal the telltale crystals, reexamination of synovial fluid is warranted. It is important for physicians to remember, though, that diagnosis of gout does not rule out the possibility of concurrent arthritic conditions.