AXIAL GOUT SIMULATING SPONDYLODISCITIS – CASE REPORT

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.20423141115

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: Axial gout, spinal gout, spondylodiscitis, osteomyelitis, back pain.

• Abstract: Axial involvement in gout is uncommon and its diagnosis can be challenging. The clinical presentation is variable and the patient may be asymptomatic or present with acute back pain, radiculopathy, spinal cord compression. The presence of tophi increases the risk of neurological involvement. Constitutional symptoms such as fever and malaise may be present. The differential diagnosis is therefore broad. Bone resorption, erosion of facet joints and narrowing of the joint space are common imaging findings. The dual energy computed tomography study may be a useful diagnostic tool in the management of spinal gout, preventing the patient from undergoing surgical or percutaneous procedure. Despite rare, axial gout should be considered in the differential diagnoses of severe spinal pain.