Table 1

challenges for imaging in gout

Technique

'Specific' feature

Clinical potential

X-ray

Ankylosis

Daily practice

Osteosclerosis

Long-term follow-up

Osteophyte

In epidemiology

Periostal new bone

In pathophysiology

Spur

In intervention study

CT

DECT

Tophaceous load

Experimental application

In urate lowering therapies demonstrating efficacy

HRCT

Erosion-tophus interrelation

Experimental application/sporadic in daily practice

In pathophysiology

US

DCS/snow storm

Common use in daily practice

Power Doppler sign

In diagnostic algorithm for early diagnosis (and possibly follow-up); measuring active inflammation

MRI

Bone oedema/osteitis

Experimental application/daily practice

In follow-up intervention study; measuring active inflammation

CT, computerized tomography; DCS, double contour sign; DECT, dual energy CT; HRCT, high resolution CT; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; US, ultrasound.

Jansen Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012 14:126   doi:10.1186/ar4068