Scientific Abstracts 1359 than 6 month) was examined by clinical, laboratory, X-Ray and ultrasonography. After investigation the following diagnoses were made: Gout in 32 patients, Osteoarthritis in 28 patients, Rheumatoid arthritis in 28 patients, Psoriatic arthritis in 16 patients. Ultrasound investigation of affected joints was performed in all subjects by linear probe 18 MHz. Urate crystal deposits were seen on the surface of the hyaline cartilage as a hyperechoic thin line or dots on the

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... rtilage, wich sometimes imitate double contour of bones [2, 3]. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound sign were compared with subcutaneous tophi, bone cysts (X-Ray sign) and hyperuricemia. Results: The urate crystal deposits in gyalinic cartilage of at least one of affected joints were revealed in 28 of 32 (87,5%) patients with Gout, in 3 of 28 (10,7%) patients with Osteoarthritis and 1of 16 (6,3%) patients with Psoriatic arthritis. Comparative data of sensitivity and specificity of crystal deposits, bone cysts, subcutaneous tophi and hyperuricemia are represented in table below.