OBJECTIVE: To highlight novel findings in the detection of monosodium urate deposits in vessels using dual energy computed tomography, and to discuss the potential clinical implications for gout and hyperuricemia patients.
RESULTS: Gout is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, classical risk calculators do not take into account these hazards, and parameters to identify patients at risk are lacking. Monosodium urate measured by dual energy computed tomography is a well-established technology for the detection and quantification of monosodium urate deposits in peripheral joints and tendons. Recent findings also suggest its applicability to identify vascular urate deposits. Dual energy computed tomography is a promising tool for detection of cardiovascular monosodium urate deposits in gout patients, to better delineate individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Identifying the full scope of pelvic fracture patterns in older adults has gained clinical importance since the last decennium. CT is recommended as the golden standard; however, MRI has even greater diagnostic accuracy. Dual energy computed tomography (DECT) is a new and promising imaging technique, but the diagnostic accuracy in the context of pelvic fragility fractures (FFPs) has not been widely established. The aim was to provide insight into the diagnostic accuracy of different imaging techniques and the relevance for clinical practice. A systematic search was performed in the PubMed database. All studies that reported on CT, MRI or DECT imaging techniques in older adults who suffered a pelvic fracture were reviewed and, if relevant, included. Eight articles were included. In up to 54% of the patients, additional fractures were found on MRI compared to CT, and in up to 57% of the patients on DECT. The sensitivity of DECT for posterior pelvic fracture detection was similar to MRI. All patients without fractures on CT appeared to have posterior fractures on MRI. After additional MRI, 40% of the patients had a change of classification. DECT and MRI showed very similar results in terms of diagnostic accuracy. Over a third of all patients appear to have a more severe fracture classification after MRI, the majority changing to Rommens type 4. However, in only a few patients who changed of fracture classification, a change of therapy was advised. This review suggests that MRI and DECT scans are superior in diagnosing FFPs.

UNASSIGNED: Severe spinal pain is an unusual presentation of gout. Due to its rarity and the difficulty of obtaining joint fluid or tissue for crystal analysis, dual energy computed tomography (DECT) may be a useful imaging modality in the management of axial gout.
UNASSIGNED: Two patients independently presented to a major teaching hospital with severe spinal pain subsequently shown to be due to gout. The first patient presented with back pain and fevers and was initially thought to have lumbar facet joint septic arthritis. The second case presented with severe back pain. In both cases, DECT suggested monosodium urate deposition in spinal tissues as the cause of their presentation.
UNASSIGNED: Axial gout should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe spinal pain. A DECT study may be a useful diagnostic tool in the management of spinal gout.

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis and is caused by accumulation of monosodium urate crystals in joints and soft tissues. Apart from joint damage, untreated gout is associated with cardiovascular and renal morbidity. Gout, whilst in principle considered to be well understood and simple to treat, often presents diagnostic and management challenges, with evidence to suggest that it is often inadequately treated and poor compliance is a major issue. Imaging tools can aid clinicians in establishing the correct diagnosis, when histological crystal diagnosis is unable to be established, and also assess the burden of inflammatory and structural disease. Imaging can also be used to monitor treatment response. The imaging techniques that currently have a role in the imaging of gout include conventional radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, dual energy computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine. Despite the lack of major technological advances in imaging of gout in recent years, scientific studies of existing imaging modalities have improved our understanding of the disease, and how to best utilize imaging techniques in the clinical setting.