Table 3

 Comparison of pathological findings on HRUS and x ray

Patients with gout(n = 78 1st MTPJs)Disease control(n = 28 1st MTPJs)Healthy control(n = 16 1st MTPJs)
HRUS, high-resolution ultrasound; MTPJ, metatarsophalangeal joint.
Results are expressed as number (%) of MTPJs.
Test of proportions. *p<0.05. and †p<0.01 compared with patients having gout.
The proportion of MTPJs in patients with gout showing HRUS evidence of erosions, tophus-like lesions and double contour was significantly greater than in the disease or healthy control groups.
x Ray
    Erosion22 (28)4 (14)*0
    Tophi3 (4)00
HRUS erosions
    Total52 (66)12 (43)*1 (6)†
    Focal15 (19)01 (6)*
    Multifocal37 (47)12 (43)0
    Joint effusion55 (71)18 (64)2 (13)†
    Synovial hypertrophy68 (87)18 (64)1 (6)†
Power Doppler
    None44 (56)14 (50)15 (94)†
    Mild12 (15)5 (18)1 (6)
    Moderate14 (18)4 (16)0
    Marked8 (10)4 (16)0
Tophus-like lesions
    Hard2 (3)00
    Soft27 (35)4 (14)*0
    Mixed9 (12)00
Double contour17 (22)00
Hyperechoic spots9 (12)4 (14)2 (13)