Dual-energy CT for the diagnosis of gout: an accuracy and diagnostic yield study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the accuracy of dual-energy CT (DECT) for diagnosing gout, and to explore whether it can have any impact on clinical decision making beyond the established diagnostic approach using polarising microscopy of synovial fluid (diagnostic yield).

Methods

Diagnostic single-centre study of 40 patients with active gout, and 41 individuals with other types of joint disease. Sensitivity and specificity of DECT for diagnosing gout was calculated against a combined reference standard (polarising and electron microscopy of synovial fluid). To explore the diagnostic yield of DECT scanning, a third cohort was assembled consisting of patients with inflammatory arthritis and risk factors for gout who had negative synovial fluid polarising microscopy results. Among these

SUBMITTER: Bongartz T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4431329 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature