The role of dual-energy computed tomography in the diagnosis of gout and other crystalline arthropathies: A review

Abstract

This article discusses the importance of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the diagnosis of gout, the principles of DECT, the accuracy of the methodology, the types of artifacts are analyzed. The possible dependence of the presence of deposits of sodium monourate (MUN) on other clinical data, the role of DECT in the differential diagnosis of other crystalline arthropathies is considered. The method of dual-energy computed tomography has a number of advantages: non-invasiveness, speed of execution, multiple reduction in the risk of iatrogenic complications compared with diagnostic arthrocentesis, which is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of gout. Detection of gout, monitoring the efficiency of treatment, the possibility of differential diagnosis all these tasks can be realized with the help of DECT.