Systematic Reviews Open Access
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2016. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Orthop. Nov 18, 2016; 7(11): 766-775
Published online Nov 18, 2016. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v7.i11.766
Spinal gout: A review with case illustration
Hossein Elgafy, Xiaochen Liu, Joseph Herron, Department of Orthopedics, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH 43614-5807, United States
Author contributions: All the authors contributed in outlining the manuscript, gathering the data, and writing the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: None of the authors have any financial or other conflicts of interest that may bias the current study.
Data sharing statement: The technical appendix, statistical code, and dataset are available from the corresponding author at hossein.elgafy@utoledo.edu.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Correspondence to: Hossein Elgafy, MD, MCH, FRCSEd, FRCSC, Department of Orthopedics, University of Toledo Medical Center, 3065 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614-5807, United States. hkelgafy@aol.com
Telephone: +1-419-3833515 Fax: +1-419-3833526
Received: April 27, 2016
Peer-review started: April 28, 2016
First decision: July 6, 2016
Revised: August 1, 2016
Accepted: August 17, 2016
Article in press: August 18, 2016
Published online: November 18, 2016
Processing time: 201 Days and 1.5 Hours

Abstract
AIM

To summarize clinical presentations and treatment options of spinal gout in the literature from 2000 to 2014, and present theories for possible mechanism of spinal gout formation.

METHODS

The authors reviewed 68 published cases of spinal gout, which were collected by searching “spinal gout” on PubMed from 2000 to 2014. The data were analyzed for clinical features, anatomical location of spinal gout, laboratory studies, imaging studies, and treatment choices.

RESULTS

Of the 68 patients reviewed, the most common clinical presentation was back or neck pain in 69.1% of patients. The most common laboratory study was elevated uric acid levels in 66.2% of patients. The most common diagnostic image finding was hypointense lesion of the gout tophi on the T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan. The most common surgical treatment performed was a laminectomy in 51.5% and non-surgical treatment was performed in 29.4% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Spinal gout most commonly present as back or neck pain with majority of reported patients with elevated uric acid. The diagnosis of spinal gout is confirmed with the presence of negatively birefringent monosodium urate crystals in tissue. Treatment for spinal gout involves medication for the reduction of uric acid level and surgery if patient symptoms failed to respond to medical treatment.

Key Words: Spinal; Gout; Tophi; Monosodium urate

Core tip: Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that rarely affects the spine. In such cases, patients may experience back pain, myelopathic symptoms and radiculopathy. Clinical findings are non-specific. Therefore, it is necessary to have an awareness of the diagnosis, especially in patients with a clinical history of gout and/or elevated inflammatory markers and hyperuricemia. While magnetic resonance imaging is the major non-invasive diagnostic method, all suspicious findings on imaging require surgical sampling for pathological confirmation. While typical uric acid lowering medications are first-line therapy, cord compression or continued symptoms may necessitate operative intervention if medications fail.



INTRODUCTION

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis with an increase in prevalence over the last 20 years. It currently affects over 8 million Americans. The clinical presentation of gout depends on the site of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals precipitation and the subsequent inflammatory response that ensues in the synovial joints and soft tissues. Gout usually manifests as a monoarticular arthritis in the lower extremities. If untreated, nodular masses of MSU crystals called tophi may eventually deposit in extraarticular locations, such as, the axial skeleton. Although traditionally thought of as a rare complication, recent study suggests that axial gout may be more prevalent than suspected[1]. Gout affecting the spinal column will typically present with neurological compromise, localized pain, and lytic vertebral lesions[2,3]. Spinal gout can affect the facet joint, laminae, ligamentum flavum, as well as the epidural space[4].

From 2000 to 2014, approximately 68 case reports have been published on spinal gout. The current manuscript summarizes the most common presenting features, imaging findings, and treatment choices based on the 68 published cases. A case is also presented to provide illustration on the topic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literature review

A PubMed literature search using the key words spinal gout, from January 2000 to December 2014, limited to human studies and restricted to English language literature resulted in 221 publications. Abstracts and articles were then reviewed for content. Articles kept for review included patients who underwent treatment for spinal gout. Furthermore, data required for inclusion in the study included: Patient demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, imaging studies, and treatment methods were collected (Table 1). Articles excluded from the study were those that did not have patients diagnosed with spinal gout and those that did not include patient demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, imaging studies, and treatment methods. After review, a total of 54 peer reviewed articles met the above criteria and were included for data collection.

Table 1 List of patient cases of spinal gout in the literature since 2000.
No.YearRef.Age/sexSiteSx/SignsDurationHx GoutTophiRelevant HxHi UrateMRI T1T2GadTx
12000Kao et al[5]82 MT10-T11LE weakness1 moYNANAYIsoHypoNAT9-T11 lamina
22000Mekelburg et al[6]60 ML2-3Back pain5 moYNANAYNANANACervical lamina
32000Paquette et al[7]56 ML3Back pain, radicular pain6 yrNNAArthritisNANAHypoNASurgery
42000Thornton et al[8]27 ML3-L4Back pain1 dYNARTYHypoNAYMedical NOS
52001Barrett et al[9]70 ML5-S1Back pain, radicular pain, fever2 dYNARINNAHyperYLamina
62001St George et al[10]60 MT1-T2LE weakness, BBD6 wkYNNANANAHypoNAT1-T2 lamina
72001Wang et al[11]28 MT9-T10LE weakness1 dYNNANANANANAT9-T10 lamina
82002Hsu et al[12]72 ML4-S1Back pain, radicular pain18 moYNANAYHypoHyperYLamina
92002Hsu et al[12]77 ML3-L5Back pain, radicular pain12 moNNANAYHypoHypoYLumbar lamina
102002Hsu et al[12]83 MT9-T11LE weakness1 moYNANANHypoHypoYLamina
112002Hsu et al[12]27 ML2-S1Back pain6 moYNANAYHypoHyperYMedical NOS
122002Souza et al[13]49 MT9-T10Back pain, LE weakness6 moYNANANAIsoHypoYT9-T11 lamina
132002Yen et al[14]68 MC4-C5Quadriparesis2 wkYNARIYHypoHypoNASurgery
142003Diaz et al[15]74 MC4-C5Quadriparesis1 wkYYNAYNANANAC4-C5 lamina
152004Draganescu et al[16]48 FL4Radicular pain1 dYYDiureticYNAHeteroYL4-L5 lamina
162004El Sandid et al[17]32 MT7-T9Back pain, feverAcuteYNANAYNANANALamina
172004Nakajima et al[18]39 ML4-5Low back painNAYYArthritisYNANAYMedical
182005Beier et al[19]29 ML4-L5Back pain, L5 radiculopathyAcuteNNNAYNANANAL4-L5 lamina
192005Celik et al[20]48 MC1-C2Neck pain, radiculopathy, paresthesias2 moNYAlcoholYHypoHyperYMedical NOS
202005Chang[21]60 ML3-L4B/L L4 radiculopathyNAYNANAYHypoHypoYSurgery
212005Chang[21]72 ML4-S1Back pain, claudication2 wkYNANAYHypoHypoYSurgery
222005Chang[21]66 FL4-L5Back pain, claudication1 moYNANAYHypoHypoYSurgery
232005Chang[21]63 ML3-S1Back pain, claudication, fever2 wkNANANANHypoHypoYSurgery
242005Kelly et al[22]56 FL4Back pain, LE weakness1 moYNARA, DM, RINAIsoHypoYL4-L5 lamina
252005Mahmud et al[23]47 ML4-L5Radiculopathy3 moYNANAYNANANAL4-L5 lamina/facet
262005Mahmud et al[23]71 FL4-L5Back pain, radiculopathy4 moNNANANNAHeteroNAL4-L5 lamina/fusion
272005Mahmud et al[23]58 ML4-L5Back pain, claudication6 moNNANANNAHyperNAL5 lamina
282005Wazir et al[24]66 FC1-C2Chronic neck pain, A-A subluxation, quadriparesis2 moNNArthritisYNANANALamina/fusion
292005Yen et al[25]65 FL5-S1Back pain, LE weakness10 moNNANANAIsoHeteroYL5-S1 lamina
302006Dharmadhikari et al[26]66 FC3-C7Cord compression, quadriparesis, falls2-3 moNNNANAHypoHypoNC3-C6 vertebrectomy
312006Hou et al[27]37 ML5-S1Back pain, fever5 dYNRTYIsoIsoYMedical NOS
322006Oaks et al[28]32 MT5-T8Back pain, myelopathyNAYNANANAHeteroHeteroYLamina
332006Pankhania et al[29]68 MC4-C5Neck pain, quadriparesis, sensory dysfunction1 moNNNANIsoHeteroYLamina
342006Popovich et al[30]36 FT2-T9Paraplegia2 wkYNANAYHypoHypoYT5-T7 lamina
352007Adenwalla et al[31]77 ML5-S1Severe low back pain, LE weakness1 wkNNDiurecticYNANANAPrednisone and colchicines
362007Lam et al[32]65 ML3-L4LE pain and numbness, BBDAcuteYYRIYNANANAL3-L4 lamina
372007Lam et al[32]63 ML4-S1Chronic LE pain and paresthesia, claudication1 yrYNNANNANANAL4-L5 lamina/fusion
382007Suk et al[33]55 ML4-L5Back pain, LE weakness and paresthesia, fever1 wkNNAlcoholYHypoHeteroYL4-L5 lamina/fusion
392008Fontenot et al[34]85 FL3-L4Low back pain2 moNNDiureticsYNAHyperNAPrednisone and colchicines
402009Chan et al[35]76 MT8, T10LE weaknessYYNAYIsoHeteroNAMedical NOS
412009Nygaard et al[36]75 ML4-L5Low back pain, fever5 dYNNAYNANANANA
422009Tsai et al[37]64 FT8-T9Fever, low back pain, LE weakness1 dNNDM, RINHypoIsoYT8-T9 discectomy and partial corpectomy
432010Coulier et al[38]62 FC6-C7Neck painNANYNAYNANANANA
442010Ko et al[39]63 ML5-S1Low back pain2 moNNNAYHypoHypoYLamina
452010Murphy et al[40]82 MNABack pain3 moNYNANANANANANA
462010Ntsiba et al[41]43 MT9-T10Spastic paraplegia6 moYYAlcoholNAHypoHyperNAT10 lamina
472010Samuels et al[42]75 ML5-S1Low back pain, radiculopathy, b/l groin painAcuteYNDM, RI, arthritisNANANANASteroid injection and allopurinol
482011Ibrahim et al[43]70 FT1-T2UE and LE weakness1 yrYNRIYHypoHyperNALamina/fusion
492011Levin et al[44]34 MT2-T5ParaplegiaAcuteYNRI, DMYNANANALamina
502011Thavarajah et al[45]57 MC1-C2Neck pain, UE and LE tingling1 yrYNNANANANANAC0-C6 fusion
512011Tran et al[46]73 MC1-C2CN IX, X, XII palsies, fever, cough,3 dYYRIYNAHeteroNAAllopurinol, rasburicase
522012Federman et al[2]66 MC4-C6Neck pain4 moNNDMYHypoHeteroNAAllopurinol, colchicine, narcotic analgesics
532012Hasturk et al[4]77 FL4-L5Low back pain, radiculopathy5 moNNNANHypoHypoYSurgery
542012Sakamoto et al[3]69 ML1-L2Back pain, radiculopathyAcuteNNHeart FailureYHypoHypoYMedical NOS
55201Yamamoto et al[47]58 FC4-C7Malaise, fever, back pain3 yrNYArthritis, RIYNANANAPrednisolone, allopurinol, benzbromarone
562012Lu et al[48]29 ML4-S1Severe pain, paresthesia, acratia of LLE3 yrYYChronic alcohol abuse, chronic goutYHypoHypoNAL4-L5/L5-S1 decompression/fusion
572012Sanmillan et al[49]71 MC3-C4Progressive Quadriparesis4 moYYHypertension, dislipidemiaYHypoHyperNAC3-C4 microdiscectomy/fusion
582013Wendling et al[50]54 MC5-C6Inflammatory neck pain and cervicobrachial neuralgiaAcuteYNHyperch- olesterolemiaYHypoNAYColchicine
592013Wendling et al[50]52 FLumbar posterior facet jointLow back painNANYPolychondritisNNANANASurgery
602013Wendling et al[50]72 MC5-C6Acute neck pain, knee arthritisAcuteYNHypertensionYNANANAColchicine
612013Wendling et al[50]65 ML4-L5Inflammatory low back painAcuteYYCardio- myopathy, hypertensionYNANANAColchicine
622013Wendling et al[50]87 ML3-L5Inflammatory low back painAcuteNYHypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney failureYHypoNAYColchicine
632013Komarla et al[51]69 FL3-S1Back pain, feverAcuteNYAlchohol abuse, chronic low back painNNAHyperNAAllopurinol, colchicine, glucocorticoids
642013de Parisot et al[52]60 MC1-C2Walking disorders, urinary and bowel incontinence6 moYYNAYHypoHyperYC1-C2 Arthrodesis
652013Kwan et al[53]25 MT9-T10, L3-S1Pain, swelling, and decreased ROM in multiple joints1 wkNYCKDYHypoHeteroNAPrednisone, allopurinol
662013Yoon et al[54]64 MT5-T7Weakness B/L LE, back pain rad to left anterior chest, paraparesisWeakness: 1 wk; back pain 1 moY (8 yr ago)YAcute gout arthritis 8 yr priorYHypoHeteroYT5-T7, laminectomy, facetectomy, pedicle screw fixation w/PL fusion
672013Jegapragasan et al[55]24 ML4-S1Progressively worsening LBP w/rad, weakness of RLE, fever3 yr LBP rad lat thightY (4 yr Hx)4 yr Tophaceous gout, CKD, 3 yr LBP, rad pain down later thigh (Rt > Lf)YIsoHeteroNADecompressive laminectomy L4-S1, resection of intraspinal canal and perineural lesion; post-op: colchicine, allopurinol, brief burst of prednisone
682014Cardoso et al[56]69 WL4-5, SI jointsLBP rad to buttocks and hips, low feverNANYConstrictive pericarditis, chronic renal insufficiency, HTN, DMYHypoIsoYColchicine, allopurinol
RESULTS

The 54 articles accounted for 68 cases of spinal gout with 51 (75%) males and 17 (25%) females and an average age of 59.2 years, 41(60.3%) had prior history of peripheral gout (Table 1).

Clinical presentations

Of the 68 spinal gout patients reviewed, 47 (69.1%) presented with localized back/neck pain, 38 (55.9%) with some form of spinal cord compression, defined as weakness, numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, and decreased sensation below the compression level, 17 (25%) with spinal nerve root compression or radiculopathy, defined as motor dysfunction or dysesthesia along the course of a specific nerve caused by compression of its root, 13 (19.1%) with fever, 1 (1.5%) with cranial nerve palsy, and 2 (3.0%) with atlanto-axial subluxation (Table 2). Furthermore, among the sites of involvement in the 68 spinal gout patients, 38 (55.9%) were located in the lumbar region, 15 (22.1%) in the thoracic region, 15 (22.1%) in the cervical region, and 1 (1.4%) in an unspecified region (Table 3). One patient demonstrated soft tissue nodularity consistent with gouty tophi on biopsy in both the thoracic and lumbar spinal segments.

Table 2 Clinical features.
No. of patients
Localized back/neck pain47
Spinal nerve root compression, in general14
Radicular pain6
Radiculopathy NOS8
Spinal cord compression, in general38
LE weakness19
Quadriparesis6
Claudication5
Paraplegia4
BBD3
Myelopathy NOS1
Cranial nerve palsy1
Atlanto-axial subluxation2
Fever13
Table 3 Anatomic location of spinal gout.
No. of patients
Lumbar spine38
Thoracic spine15
Cervical spine15
Not mentioned1
Total168
Laboratory studies

Laboratory studies of the 68 recorded cases showed 45 (66.2%) with elevated uric acid level at the time of diagnoses, 17 (25%) had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), 19 (27.9%) had increased C-reactive proteins (CRP) level, 11 (16.2%) had renal insufficiency, 9 (13.2%) had leukocytosis, and 5 (7.4%) had anemia (Table 4).

Table 4 Laboratory studies.
No. of patients
Elevated uric acid45
Elevated ESR17
Elevated CRP19
Renal insufficiency11
Leukocytosis9
Anemia5
Imaging studies

On the T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, 28 (41.2%) did not report findings, 31 (45.5%) were hypointense, 8 (11.8%) were isointense, and 1 (1.5%) was heterointense. On T2-weighted images, 24 (35.3%) did not report findings, 18 (26.5%) were hypointense, 12 (17.6%) were heterointense, 11 (16.2%) were hyperintense, and 4 (5.9%) were isointense. A gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRI scan was obtained from 32 (47.1%) patients. These findings are referenced in (Table 5).

Table 5 Imaging studies.
No. of patients
X-ray
Not performed37
Spondylosis/-listhesis12
Bony erosion8
Unremarkable6
Degenerative changes5
CT
Not performed35
BE and HDA13
BE only13
Lytic lesions5
Unremarkable2
MRI
T1
Not reported28
Hypointense31
Isointense8
Heterointense1
T2
Not reported24
Hypointense18
Heterointense12
Hyperintense11
Isointense4
Gadolinium enhancement
No36
Yes32

Thirty-seven cases (54.4%) did not report X-ray findings, 12 (17.6%) showed spondylosis or spondylisthesis, 8 (11.8%) showed bony erosion, 6 (8.8%) were unremarkable, and 5 (7.4%) showed degenerative changes. In addition, 35 (51.5%) did not report computed tomography (CT) findings, 13 (19.1%) showed bony erosion and high density attenuation, 13 (19.1%) displayed bony erosion only, 5 (7.4%) demonstrated lytic lesions, and 2 (2.9%) were unremarkable.

Treatments

Forty-five (66.2%) patients had surgical treatment. Thirty-five (51.5%) patients had laminectomies, 8 (11.8%) of whom also had fusions with laminectomies, 7 (10.3%) had surgeries not otherwise specified, 1 (1.5%) had a vertebrectomy, 2 (2.9%) had discectomies with partial corpectomies. Twenty (29.4%) received medical treatment alone and 3 (4.4%) did not report any treatment (Table 6).

Table 6 Treatment.
No. of patients
Laminectomy only24
Nonsurgical treatment20
Surgery not specified7
Laminectomy and fusion5
Not reported3
Fusion only2
Laminectomy and facetectomy3
Laminectomy and facetectomy and fusion1
Vertebrectomy1
Discectomy and partial corpectomy2
Total68
Case illustration

A 58-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of low back and radicular pain over left L4, 5 dermatomes that had been progressively worsening over a four-month duration to the point where she was unable to walk. The patient denied any saddle paresthesia or change in bowel and bladder function. She has a history of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (stage I), type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea. The patient also described an acute gouty arthropathy that was diagnosed in her right hand about 4 mo prior for which she was taking colchicine. An inflammatory workup was ordered which showed CRP of 3.58 (n < 1.0), ESR 25 (0-20), WBC 6.2 (4.0-10.0), uric acid 11.4 (2.5-6.8); HLA-B27, anti-DNA, Rheumatoid factor, and complement labs were negative.

Plain radiograph of the lumbar spine was unremarkable. Plain radiograph of the right hand showed osseous erosive changes at the 4th finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint (Figure 1). MRI showed intraspinal extradural lesion causing spinal canal stenosis at L4-S1 (Figure 2). A CT showed that the lesion was calcified with erosive changes noted at the left L4-5 facet joint and L 4 lamina (Figure 3). The patient was treated with L4-S1 decompression, instrumentation and fusion. The surgical microscope was used during excision of the intraspinal lesion, which appeared chalky white, non-adherent and easily pealed off the thecal sac without sustaining dural tear (Figure 4). Postoperatively the patient noted significant improvement in both low back and radicular pain. The patient received allopurinol treatment for gout and remained asymptomatic at the last follow up two years after the index procedure.

Figure 1
Figure 1 Plain radiograph anteroposterior view right hand showed osseous erosive changes at the 4th finger distal interphalangeal joint (arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2 T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan mid sagittal (A) and axial (B) showed intraspinal extradural hypodense lesion causing spinal canal stenosis at L4-S1.
Figure 3
Figure 3 Computed tomography scan mid sagittal (A), left parasagittal (B), and axial (C) views showed the intraspinal lesion was calcified with erosive changes at the left L4-5 facet joint and L4 lamina (arrows).
Figure 4
Figure 4 Intraoperative photograph taken by the surgical microscope showed a well-demarked chalky white tophous lesion (arrow).
DISCUSSION

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of MSU crystals in synovial joints that result into erosion and joint damage. Soft tissue masses of MSU crystals known as tophi are usually found in the hand and extensor surface of the forearm[4,32,57]. Tophi are seen in patients with long-standing gout, but can also be one of the first symptoms amongst a cluster of metabolic disorders leading to hyperuricemia, especially among those with long-standing renal impairment[2,33]. Tophi are a common manifestation of gout, but spinal manifestations are considered rare. Recent research by de Mello et al[1], however, suggests that tophi in the axial skeleton may be more prevalent than first suspected.

Although no studies have been able to conclude the exact mechanism for axial involvement in gout, the likely theory is, as gout usually involves joint spaces, facet joint may be the initial deposition location for MSU crystals. Another theory is based on the fact that high uric acid and other inflammatory markers are often elevated in gout. This increase in uric acid in the blood could signal a corresponding increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leading to the obstruction of the canal or foramen.

Literature review showed that the lumbar spine was the most commonly involved region followed by thoracic and cervical regions. The most common clinical presentation was back pain associated with lumbar radiculopathy, or neurogenic claudication. The most frequent laboratory finding was hyperuricemia defined as uric acid above 7 mg/dL. Renal insufficiency was also found in many patients. Plain radiograph findings are usually non-specific. The most consistent image findings of the intraspinal extradural tophi were hypointense signal on the T1-weighted MRI and heterointense signals on the T2-weighted MRI. Spinal gout is usually diagnosed with cytological or histopathological studies. However, for patients treated with surgery, a pasty chalk-white mass are usually present. Clinical presentations and radiological findings of spinal gout are often non-specific and one has to consider the differential diagnoses of intraspinal extradural mass. The most frequent etiology with similar clinical presentations and imaging findings is herniated disc. Other causes include synovial cyst, tumor, epidural abscess, arteriovenous malformation.

Pharmacotherapy for spinal gout is the same as those used for gout involving typical joints. Acute gouty attack is most often treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as, naproxen or indomethacin. In patients with chronic kidney disease, duodenal or gastric ulcer, heart disease or hypertension, NSAID allergy, or anticoagulant treatment, colchicine is an alternative treatment. While NSAIDs and colchicine are effective in symptomatic reduction during an acute attack, they do not prevent the development of bony erosions or tophi deposits in tissues. To prevent further gouty attack, maintenance medications are often prescribed with the goal of keeping uric acid level less than 6 mg/dL. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, such as allopurinol, febuxostat, and oxypurinol, are the first line choices for reduced production of uric acid. Allopurinol can precipitate gouty attack or worsen current attack, thus, it is used for maintenance after acute attack has resolved. Uricosuric agents, such as, probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, are second line prophylactics aimed to increase uric acid excretion since decreased uric acid excretion is responsible for 85% to 90% of primary or secondary hyperuricemia[58].

Surgical interventions may be needed if patient has symptoms of spinal cord or nerve root compression. The mainstay of surgical treatment is decompression and excision of the tophi. The role of fusion at the time of the decompression remains controversial. The need for fusion is influenced by symptomatic preoperative instability as evidenced by dynamic radiographs, erosion of the facet joint seen on CT scan, or intraoperative instability that may be created by iatrogenic resection of spinal structures such as the pars interarticularis or the facet joints.

Although this article provides a broad overview of cases involving spinal gout since January 2000, there are some limitations. The absence of certain information, such as the post-treatment outcomes, limited the depth of our analysis in certain cases. Furthermore, the literature review could not always account for individual variation among the 68 cases reviewed including the particular method of diagnosis, which was not standardized across all patients included in the study. In addition, the individual articles did not provide information regarding prior uric acid lowering treatments, which could possibly inflate the number of spinal gout cases with normal uric acid levels.

The majority of clinical features for spinal gout such as back pain and neurological symptoms are nonspecific. Thus, one must rule out other common diagnoses, such as disc herniation, tumor, infection prior to diagnosing a patient with spinal gout. Laboratory study indicative of gout is elevated uric acid levels. In this literature review, the majority of the cases utilized MRI as the radiological study of choice in detecting spinal gout. While MRI was the major non-invasive diagnostic method, all suspicious findings on imaging required surgical sampling for pathological confirmation of negatively birefringent MSU crystals presence.

COMMENTS
Background

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis with an increase in prevalence over the last 20 years. It currently affects over 8 million Americans. The primary aim of this review is to summarize the most common presenting features, imaging findings, and treatment choices based on the 68 published cases.

Research frontiers

Literature review showed that the lumbar spine was the most commonly involved region followed by thoracic and cervical regions. The most common clinical presentation was back pain associated with lumbar radiculopathy, or neurogenic claudication. The most frequent laboratory finding was hyperuricemia defined as uric acid above 7 mg/dL.

Innovations and breakthroughs

Traditionally gout thought of as a rare problem characterized by a sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. Recent studies suggest that axial gout may be more prevalent than suspected. Spinal gout can affect the facet joint, laminae, ligamentum flavum, as well as the epidural spaces.

Applications

The majority of clinical features for spinal gout such as back pain and neurological symptoms are nonspecific. Suspicious findings on MRI imaging required surgical sampling for pathological confirmation of negatively birefringent monosodium urate crystals presence.

Peer-review

It is a good review concerning the spinal gout consisting of the symptom and signs, treatment option and lab data analysis.

Footnotes

Manuscript source: Invited manuscript

Specialty type: Orthopedics

Country of origin: United States

Peer-review report classification

Grade A (Excellent): 0

Grade B (Very good): B, B

Grade C (Good): 0

Grade D (Fair): 0

Grade E (Poor): 0

P- Reviewer: Hammoudeh M, Pan HC S- Editor: Ji FF L- Editor: A E- Editor: Lu YJ

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