Tophaceous Gout in the Lumbar Spine Causing Radiculopathy

Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed). 2020 Sep-Oct;16(5 Pt 2):410-412. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2018.08.005. Epub 2018 Oct 5.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Tophaceous deposits in lumbar spine is considered a rare condition. We report the case of a 44-year-old patient with low back pain and radiculopathy. Radiographs revealed lytic spondylolisthesis in L5. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hypointense signal on T1 and a heterogeneous signal on T2 located in the L4-L5 interspinous space and in the left facet joint that invades left neuroforamen. The left knee ultrasound showed «double contour» of the medial femoral condyle. Decompressive laminectomy with arthrodesis at the level of L5-S1 was performed. The histological examination revealed amorphous material with a foreign body giant cell reaction.

Keywords: Columna lumbar; Gota tofácea; Lumbar spine; Radiculopathy; Radiculopatía; Tophaceous gout.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Gout / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae*
  • Male
  • Radiculopathy / diagnosis
  • Radiculopathy / etiology*