Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), commonly used by urologists to differentiate between uric acid- and calcium-based kidney stones, can also be used to identify gout in patients suspected of having the disease but in whom results of fluid aspiration tests have been negative… "We don't see DECT as replacing the standard test, but we do use it as a routine clinical tool to confirm the suspicion of gout in selected patients in whom we suspect gout but can't diagnose it and have exhausted current technology," said lead author Tim Bongartz, MD, consultant in rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Medscape Today, Alice Goodman, 11/10/11

Tags: Rheumatology