Dual-energy computed tomography for the diagnosis of acute gouty arthritis

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the diagnostic value of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in acute gouty arthritis (AGA) or patients presenting with suspected gouty arthritis. Methods: This retrospective study was performed in a single centre from May 2017 to August 2018. Two hundred and twenty-six patients with an initial diagnosis of AGA in the preceding 15 days were included. All patients were referred for a DECT scan of the affected joints. The diagnosis criteria of gout with the American College of Rheumatology Classification Standard were regarded as the reference standard. Results: Two hundred patients were included in the present study at last. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of DECT in the diagnosis of all AGA were 83.83%, 60.61%, 91.5% and 42.55% respectively. When AGA was subdivided according to the joint site, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 80.68%, 61.11%, 91.03%, and 39.29% in feet, 93.55%, 40%, 93.55%, and 40% in knees and 87.5%, 71.43%, 91.3%, and 62.5% in ankles, respectively. Conclusions: DECT had a high sensitivity for the diagnosis of AGA. However, the specificity was limited, particularly for the diagnosis of acute gouty knee arthritis. Prospective multicenter studies of large samples will enhance the application of DECT among the AGA patients in the future.