Ulcerated tophaceous gout

Abstract

Gout is a common inflammatory arthropathy with a high prevalence worldwide. Increased levels of uric acid in the blood lead to deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joints, inflammation, and pain. Acute gout attacks are often sudden, monoarticular, and typically resolve within a week, whereas chronic gout is often polyarticular with baseline pain between attacks. In chronic gout, depositions of uric acid known as tophi can form throughout the body. Despite the high prevalence of gout and the frequency with which tophi occur, ulceration over tophi is surprisingly rare. We report the case of a 38-year-old man, undiagnosed with gout, who presented to clinic for evaluation of ulcers with chalky white granules. The wounds were determined to be ulcerated tophaceous gout. Risk factors for ulceration over tophi and reported treatments are discussed.