1/4. A case of tenosynovial chondromatosis with tophus-like deposits.Tenosynovial chondromatosis has not been well recognized because of its rarity, but it is clinically important because of its high rate of recurrence. We report here a case of tenosynovial chondromatosis with deposits of crystalline material that appeared to be sodium urate (gouty tophi). A 37-year-old Japanese man was admitted because of a hard mass in his left third finger. He had undergone surgery at the same anatomical site four and seven years previously. The roentgenogram revealed a soft tissue mass in the flexor aspect of the proximal phalanx. At operation, the tumor was found to have arisen in the tendon sheath. Histopathological examination showed that the tumor was composed of well-defined, multiple, cartilaginous nodules that were surrounded by tenosynovial tissue. A few of the nodules were calcified. The chondrocytes had mild atypia, and were immunopositive for S-100 protein. A diagnosis of tenosynovial chondromatosis was made. The nodules also contained crystalline deposits, which bore a histological resemblance to gouty tophi. We were unable to define the exact nature of these deposits even by transmission electron microscopy and electron roentgenographic microanalysis. Crystalline deposits in chondromas of soft tissue have been reported but not in tenosynovial chondromatosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology in gouty tophi: a report of 7 cases.BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gout can be problematic when the presentation is atypical and serum uric acid is borderline elevated. Demonstration of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears from nodular masses clinically suspected to be tophi establishes the diagnosis unequivocally. CASES: Of the 7 cases in this study, 4 were suspected clinically to have gouty tophi. Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, giant cell tumor of bone and metastatic tumor with multicentric involvement of bone were the clinical diagnoses in 1 case each. serum uric acid levels high enough to be in the diagnostic range for gout were reported in 3 cases, within normal limits in 3 cases and low in 1 chronic alcoholic patient. Bright field microscopy of FNA smears revealed singly scattered or stacks of MSU crystals with variable number of inflammatory cells, with or without foreign body giant cells in 6 cases. In 1 patient, FNA showed stacks of MSU crystals only. Characteristic birefringence of MSU crystals was observed on polarizing microscopy. CONCLUSION: FNA demonstration of MSU crystals on polarizing microscopy can easily establish the nature of the nodules in and around the joints and in soft tissue as gouty tophi and is thus an investigation differentiating this lesion from other masses clinically simulating it.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. gout due to renal disease.From 120 patients attending a referral gout clinic, 12 patients were found to have primary renal disease at the time of, or prior to, their first attack of acute gouty arthritis. This number excluded those with chronic lead nephropathy, polycystic kidneys or who were receiving diuretics. The nature of the renal disease was usually of the tubulointerstitial variety rather than of glomerular origin. The renal clearance of urate per unit of glomerular filtration rate, which usually increases with renal disease, was generally reduced, suggesting impairment of renal excretion of urate. Nine of the patients were female (four premenopausal) and only three were males. The degree of renal impairment was only mild to moderate. Other common associations with gout, such as obesity, hypertension and regular alcohol consumption, were not prominent. The intrinsic renal disease in these patients was considered to be the major contributor to their development of hyperuricaemia and gout.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. adult Still's disease: a missed diagnosis.adult Still's disease is now a well recognised distinct clinical entity. Two cases of the disorder are presented to illustrate the protean nature of the syndrome. The literature is reviewed with regards to the diagnosis, management and complications of the condition. The need for the physician to be aware of this condition to avoid unnecessary investigations and delay in instituting effective therapy will be stressed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |