tophus

Etiology

• may occur in gout
• may refer to sialolithiasis

Pathology

• deposit of uric acid in periarticular fibrous tissue, cartilage of the external ear or kidney

Clinical manifestations

• painless, persistent, generally noninflammatory nodules
• many be palpable on physical examination
• may occur within joints or non-palpable tissues
• acute gouty flares may occur at sites of tophi

Radiology

• X-ray of affected joint(s)
  • tophi appear as hyperdense soft tissue swellings
    • calcifications may appear within tophi
• ultrasound is the most sensitive method to detect tophi

Management

• see gout

More general terms

• abnormal morphologic structure (malformation)

Additional terms

• gout
• sialolithiasis (salivary stone)