Rapid disappearance of gouty tophi of the foot by resection of massive gouty tophi of the opposite foot in a patient with hyperuricaemia: a case report

Abstract

Gouty tophi occur less frequently and disappear only with modern medication therapy for symptomatic or asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. However, the medication may require a long time to take effect due to the systemic urate pool associated with massive gouty tophi. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman who suffered from massive gouty tophi of both feet due to hyperuricaemia. After resection of the massive gouty tophi from her right foot and treatment with uricemia medication, the gouty tophi of her opposite foot disappeared rapidly due to reducing the patient’s systemic urate pool with intensification of drug medication.

Keywords:

• Gouty tophi
• urate pool
• hyperuricaemia
• reducing

Acknowledgments

We thank a lot Ms. Eiko Saito, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, for staining and making tissue sections. This study did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of interest

None.