Tophi reduction: ultrasound imaging and correlation with plasma levels of uric acid in patients undergoing treatment for tophaceous gout.

The objective was to determine the reduction of tophi in patients undergoing drug therapy in correlation with urate serum levels through ultrasound examination. A total of 31 male patients, between the ages of 33 to 77 years, with tophaceous gout were evaluated between 2005 and 2009, 11 of which were selected. Ultrasound examinations of visible tophi and evaluations of serum uric acids levels were performed annually on each patient. There was a statistically significant difference between measurements 1, 2, 3 and measurement 4 and between measurements 4 and 5. A strong significant positive association was seen between variation of tophus size and the reduction of serum uric acid levels.

Imaging of haemophilic arthropathy in growing joints: pitfalls in ultrasound and MRI.

The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) for assessing arthropathy in children and adolescents with haemophilia and to recognize the limitations of each imaging modality and pitfalls in the diagnosis of soft tissue and osteochondral abnormalities. Awareness of MRI and US limitations and pitfalls in the assessment of joints in persons with haemophilia is essential for accurate diagnosis and optimal management of haemophilic arthropathy.