Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Gouty Tophi - Report of Two Cases

Gout is a chronic hyperuricaemic crystal induced arthropathy. Tophi are soft tissue nodules, usually periarticular, that develop after long standing gouty arthritis. Demonstration of monosodium urate crystals in synovial fluid or biopsy helps in confirming the diagnosis of gout. However, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of nodules is becoming a popular and valuable tool in the diagnosis of gout. We report two patients admitted in our hospital and diagnosed to have gouty tophi. Both of them were elderly males who presented with multiple soft tissue nodules and FNAC along with polarizing microscopy was helpful in arriving at final diagnosis.