The value of using dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate crystals in patients with gout / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate crystals in patients with gout.Methods One hundred and eight patients who experienced unilateral arthrocele and (or) joint pain in the past two weeks were enrolled into our study.DECT were performed for the upper or lower extremity.Ninety-five patients were enrolled into the gout study group based on the American rheumatism association (ACR) classification standard;The 0.3 linear blended images group were regarded as conventional CT group,DE (80 kV and 140 kV) datasets were reconstructed via gout-recognition software,the pseudo-color images group as the postprocessed group.Imagings were reviewed independently by two senior radiologists.Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis with the SPSS 13.0software.Results In the conventional CT group,DECT scans revealed a total of 298 areas of urate deposition in 51 patients;The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 53.7％,84.6％,and 57.4％.In the postprocessed group,401 areas of green urate deposition were detected in 69 patients,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 72.6％,100.0％,75.9％ respectively,the differences had statistical significance (x2 =7.329 and 8.333,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions DECT gout recognition technology can detect smaller amount of monosodium urate in the other parts of the body,with a great potential in early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with gout.