Application of high frequency ultrasound in acute gouty knee arthritis

Objective To investigate the manifestations of high-frequency ultrasound in patients with acute gouty knee arthritis, and to explore the application of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute gouty knee arthritis. Methods A total of 50 patients diagnosed with acute gouty knee arthritis (70 joints) and 56 patients with non-gouty knee arthritis (72 joints) were enrolled. Their high-frequency ultrasonographic features were retrospectively analyzed, including: joint effusion, synovial thickening, synovial blood flow signal, strong echo light spot, gout stone, "double line sign" of the femoral trochlear cartilage, bone erosion and hyperechoic aggregates in tendon. Results There were significant differences in "double line" sign, strong echo light spot, gout stone and hyperechoic aggregates in tendon between the acute gouty knee arthritis group and the non-gouty knee arthritis group (P<0.05). For the diagnosis of acute gouty knee arthritis, the sensitivity of "double line" sign, hyperechoic light spot, gout stone and hyperechoic aggregates in tendon was 88.6%, 57.1%, 57.1% and 32.9%, the specificity was 97.2%, 83.3%, 98.6% and 93.1%, the positive predictive value was 96.9%, 76.9%, 93.0% and 82.1%, and the negative predictive values was 89.7%, 66.7%, 69.7% and 58.8%, respectively. Conclusions High frequency ultrasound has important value in the diagnosis of acute gouty knee arthritis.