Tophi are generally hyperechoic, heterogeneous, with poorly defined contours, multiple grouped and surrounded by an anechoic halo. Individual tophus and the absence of association between illness duration and the presence of calcification are newly described features. This study of tophaceous gout by ultrasound may contribute to the diagnostic elucidation of patients with clinically atypical gout and show its diverse characteristic forms of presentation.

ObjectiveTo describe and classify the varied ultrasound features of tendinous involvement in relation to tophi in chronic tophaceous gout so that they are better recognised.MethodsUltrasound images of 138 affected areas from 31 patients with chronic tophaceous gout were analysed using high-quality broadband linear transducers. The relationship between tendon and tophi was classified, and the inter-observer agreement regarding classification was analysed.ResultsTophi envelopment in the tendon was the most frequent characteristic (45%) followed by no relationship between tophi and tendon (41%), tophi at the insertion site of the tendon (7%), extrinsic compression (6%) and tophi within the tendon (1%). The inter-observer concordance on classification of the relationship between tophi and tendon was measured using McNemar’s test with P < 0.001 (χ2 = 30.0, degree of freedom = 9) and kappa test = 0.627 (P < 0.001), indicating substantial inter-observer concordance.ConclusionTophi generally envelope the tendon or there is no relationship between them. Tophi can also be found at the insertion site of the tendon, cause extrinsic compression or be located inside the tendon. There is substantial inter-observer agreement for ultrasound classification of tendon involvement by tophi. This study contributes to diagnostic elucidation and shows the diverse characteristic forms of tendon involvement by tophi.

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