Pathology · single question
In a patient with gout, which substance would you expect to find elevated in the synovial fluid?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Monosodium urate (uric acid) crystals
Gout = deposition of monosodium urate crystals in synovial joints, causing acute inflammatory arthritis.
- A. Rheumatoid factor is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, not gout. RF-negative TMJ arthritis suggests OA or gout, not RA.
- B. CORRECT. Gout is characterized by elevated serum uric acid and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints. Aspiration of joint fluid shows negatively birefringent needle-shaped crystals.
- C. CRP is a non-specific inflammatory marker — elevated in many conditions, not diagnostic of gout.
- D. Creatinine is a marker of renal function, not of gout or joint inflammation.