Septic Arthritis in Gout

Comments:
Septic arthritis is a rare but serious complication of gout. The clinical presentation of both is similar consisting of pain, redness and swelling of the joint. Prompt aspiration of synovial fluid for early diagnosis and treatment is necessary as septic arthritis can rapidly destroy the articular cartilage and cause significant disability and even death. This biopsy of periarticular soft tissues from a patient with gout shows predominantly acute inflammatory infiltrate.

Image courtesy of: Dr. Ibrahim Zardawi; used with permission.