DERMATOLOGICAL MANIFESTATION OF GOUT

Gout is a common medical problem, affecting at least 1 percent of men in western population, with a male: female ratio ranging from 17:1 to 9 . gout is a disease of purine metabolism characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate (msu) crystals in tissues that may form as a result of hyperuricemia which represents the basic 2underlying metabolic abnormality. increased serum uric acid level is found in obesity, high protein diet, high alcohol consumption, combined hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease and drugs. the deposition of msu crystals in and around joints as well as soft tissues, produce masses commonly referred as tophi and usually thought to be a late manifestation of gout.tophi mainly form over elbow, ankle , tendoachilles, fingers and ears. tophaceous deposits are well known to cause joint destruction, gouty nephropathy, spinal cord compression and concomitant septic infection.