Ultrasonographic findings in Hyperuricemia

Abstract

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is a quick, inexpensive, non-invasive modality for early diagnosis of hyperuricemia and gout. US waves are more intensely reflected by crystalline material than by the tissues around it, which are found to be in the cartilage, synovial fluid, tendon sheaths, and subcutaneous tissue. Power Doppler Imaging is especially helpful for tiny vessels as well as those having low-velocity flow since it has the sensitivity for flow identification. The existence of double contour sign, aggregates, tophi and hyperechoic spots are more specific ultrasonographic findings for diagnosis of gout. Furthermore, Hyperuricemia was found to be linked with cardiovascular diseases which reflected as increase in the carotid artery intima thickness in addition to carotid artery plaque formation that can be easily detected by ultrasound helping in early cardiovascular diseases screening and management.