Comparison of diagnostic efficacy of dual‐energy CT and ultrasound in gouty arthritis

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the performance and effect of dual‐energy computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound in the diagnosis of gouty arthritis and to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis of gouty arthritis.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 76 patients with gouty arthritis admitted to the hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 was conducted. Patients were diagnosed with gouty arthritis using ultrasound and dual‐energy CT technology. The accuracy of diagnosis by different imaging techniques was analyzed along with the imaging findings of ultrasound and dual‐energy CT.ResultsSeventy‐six patients, 60 men and 16 women, ranging in age from 20 to 77 years (mean age 50.8 ± 10.92 years), presented with uric acid levels of 254.1–720.05 μmol/L (mean 482.17 ± 105.06 μmol/L) and C‐reactive protein levels ranging from 4.25 to 10.3 mg/L. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve and specificity of serum uric acid were higher by dual‐energy CT than those of ultrasound in the diagnosis of gouty arthritis. The dual‐energy CT detection rate of tophi was significantly higher than the ultrasound detection rate (p < .05). For inflammatory effusion and synovial thickening, the ultrasound detection rates were significantly higher than the dual‐energy CT detection rates (p < .05). Regarding soft‐tissue edema, the detection rate of the two methods was not significantly different (p > .05).ConclusionCompared with ultrasound, dual‐energy CT has increased accuracy in the diagnosis of gouty arthritis.