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Ultrasound Scoring System of Christiansen et al for Gout Lesions

Description

Christiansen et al reported a scoring system for the ultrasound changes associated with gout. This can help to identify and monitor a patient's disease severity. The authors are from multiple institutions from around the world and are members of the OMERACT Ultrasound Working Group.


Patient selection: gout

 

Parameters:

(1) double contour (deposits of crystals on the cartilage surface)

(2) tophi (larger crystal deposits)

(3) aggregates (small crystal deposits; bright hyperechoic, isolated spots too small to be a tophus; deposits maintain their high degree of reflectivity when the insonation angle is changed)

 

Finding

Points

absent

0

possible

1

definite but minimal

2

definite and severe

3

 

total score =

= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 12

• The higher the score the greater the severity.


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