Cytodiagnosis of multiarticular chronic tophaceous gout

Gout is a disorder of uric acid metabolism that causes deposition of Monosodium Urate (MSU) crystals in joint spaces, which, in turn, elicit an acute inflammatory reaction. Gout causes intense pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint. It usually affects the joint in the big toe. We present a case in which diagnosis of gout was made by fine needle aspiration of tophus. FNAC of gouty tophus is an easy alternative to synovial biopsy. It is simpler, easier and less painful.

Keywords: Gout, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), Tophus, Monosodium Urate, Arthropathy.