USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 2 CK - monoarticular arthritis
monoarticular arthritis
bingousmle - 05-01-10 15:18
A 66-year-old diabetic man comes to your office with acute monoarticular arthritis. You suspect gout. Which of the following tests is the most helpful in establishing the diagnosis?
a. Sedimentation rate
b. C-reactive protein
c. Serum uric acid levels
d. Evaluation of joint aspirate
e. Twenty-four hour urine collection to measure uric acid excretion
bingousmle - 05-01-10 15:18
A 66-year-old diabetic man comes to your office with acute monoarticular arthritis. You suspect gout. Which of the following tests is the most helpful in establishing the diagnosis?
a. Sedimentation rate
b. C-reactive protein
c. Serum uric acid levels
d. Evaluation of joint aspirate
e. Twenty-four hour urine collection to measure uric acid excretion
The correct answer and explanation will be available after you answer.
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#1
Re: monoarticular arthritis mtniharika - 05-02-10 05:54 My answer is: c.
gout is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid crystallizes and deposits in joints, tendons, and surrounding tissue
#5
Re: monoarticular arthritis
bingousmle - 05-03-10 16:12 My answer is: d.
It is critical to differentiate gout from infectious arthritis which is a medical emergency, and a joint aspirate will do this rapidly and accurately. The sedimentation rates and c-reactive protein are both nonspecific..
#8
Re: monoarticular arthritis babbu5508 - 05-21-10 03:01 My answer is: d.
Tests that may be done include:
Synovial fluid analysis (shows uric acid crystals)
Uric acid - blood
Joint x-rays (may be normal)
Synovial biopsy
Uric acid - urine
The most reliable test for gout is finding uric acid crystals in a sample of the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)
#9
Re: monoarticular arthritis mtniharika - 05-25-10 04:24 
posted by babbu5508 on 05-21-10 03:01
[ANSWER d]
Tests that may be done include:
Synovial fluid analysis (shows uric acid crystals)
Uric acid - blood
Joint x-rays (may be normal)
Synovial biopsy
Uric acid - urine
The most reliable test for gout is finding uric acid crystals in a sample of the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)
[ANSWER d]
Tests that may be done include:
Synovial fluid analysis (shows uric acid crystals)
Uric acid - blood
Joint x-rays (may be normal)
Synovial biopsy
Uric acid - urine
The most reliable test for gout is finding uric acid crystals in a sample of the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)
a precise explanation...in gout negatively birefringent needle shaped crystals are found in the joint aspirate...
#10
Re: monoarticular arthritis bingousmle - 05-25-10 06:51 posted by mtniharika on 05-25-10 04:24
a precise explanation...in gout negatively birefringent needle shaped crystals are found in the joint aspirate...
a precise explanation...in gout negatively birefringent needle shaped crystals are found in the joint aspirate...
thats correct...
#12
Re: monoarticular arthritis babbu5508 - 05-25-10 17:15 posted by mtniharika on 05-25-10 04:24
a precise explanation...in gout negatively birefringent needle shaped crystals are found in the joint aspirate...
a precise explanation...in gout negatively birefringent needle shaped crystals are found in the joint aspirate...
exactly..
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