When Crystal Arthropathy Presents as Blood Poisoning

Kourosh Shargani^1, and Harry Fischer¹

¹Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY. 100 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075, USA

Cite this paper:
Kourosh Shargani and Harry Fischer. When Crystal Arthropathy Presents as Blood Poisoning. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2021; 9(8):432-433. doi: 10.12691/ajmcr-9-8-12

Abstract

Gout, or monosodium urate crystal deposition, is a common presentation in adults usually affecting the great toe. Gout is caused by an elevated level of uric acid in the blood, which leads to painful crystal deposition in the joints. Common causes of gout are Hypertension (HTN), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), alcohol use, diuretics, and high purine meals such as red meat or seafood. Gout flares present with sudden onset pain, warmth, and swelling in a single joint. These symptoms are very similar to an acute septic joint presentation. This case will demonstrate the workup required to differentiate between the two pathologies.

Keywords:
septic arthritis crystal arthropathy sepsis gout gout-flare

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