Introduction: Severe keratoderma blenorrhagicum (KB) is a rare cutaneous manifestation of reactive arthritis (ReA) which can be indistinguishable from psoriasis, making the diagnosis challenging. This is a case of reactive arthritis in a 33-year-old female presenting with disabling, painful oligoarthritis which was accompanied by generalized pustular and scaly rashes simulating psoriasis. Case: A 33-year-old female, Filipino, single with no known co-morbidities presented with disabling, painful oligoarthritis which was accompanied by generalized pustular and scaly rashes of two weeks duration. Her symptoms were preceded a few days earlier with a transient episode of conjunctivitis. She also reported having recently received treatment for “urinary tract infection”. There were generalized hyperkeratotic papules with areas of desquamation overlying erythematous skin involving the scalp, hairline, trunk, and extremities including palms and soles, with onycholysis on all digits. The right wrist and both ankles were warm, swollen and tender, with dactylitis involving most toes. Dermatology consult concurred with the diagnosis of keratoderma blenorrhagicum associated with reactive arthritis, over psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, and she was started on prednisone 60 mg/day; methotrexate (MTX) 20 mg/week and folic acid were added a week later. With dramatic resolution of both skin and joint involvement, prednisone was tapered to 10 mg/day over the next three weeks and MTX was maintained at 15 mg/week, with no rebound nor recurrence of symptoms. Conclusion Severe KB is a rare cutaneous manifestation of ReA which can be indistinguishable from psoriasis. The acute onset of symptoms, recent history of eye inflammation and genitourinary tract infection strongly favored ReA over psoriasis. A further hallmark of KB is the presence of sterile pustules on the palms and soles. Histologically, KB has more numerous pustules and massive hyperkeratosis compared to psoriasis. Moreover, the dramatic response to systemic steroids, without rebound nor recurrence upon steroid taper or discontinuation favors KB over psoriasis.
Arthritis, Reactive

Objective: Double contour sign (DCS) is considered part of the new gout classification. This study aims to determine the agreement of blinded musculoskeletal sonologists in identifying the double contour sign among asymptomatic hyperuricemic patients. Methods: Participants with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (n=65) underwent a gray-scale ultrasound assessment of both of their 1st metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs) done on 3 positions (dorsal, medial, plantar) in longitudinal view. The static images were read by 2 independent blinded sonologists for presence of double contour sign. Results: Among the 130 1st MTPJs, the sonologists were able to positively identify DCS on 48R and 52L, negative in 10R and 10L, with discordant readings in 7R, 3L. The overall kappa agreement was statistically significant at 0.674 (substantial agreement) and 0.842 (almost perfect agreement) on the right and left respectively, (both p<0.001). Conclusion and Recommendation There is a high proportion of positive double contour sign seen among persistently asymptomatic hyperuricemic patients. It might be prudent to perform musculoskeletal ultrasound early on to detect monosodium urate crystal deposits in similar patients. A close follow up to monitor clinical gouty arthritis maybe necessary or consider utility of urate lowering drugs in crystal dissolution in prospective studies.
Hyperuricemia ; Gout

Objective: Musculoskeletal ultrasound has gained recognition in early identification of crystal deposits in the joints and soft tissues. This study aims to validate the sonographic features of 1st metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs) in gout and asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH). Methods Patients with gout (n=20) and AH (n=16) underwent a gray-scale ultrasound assessment of both 1st MTPJs on 3 positions (dorsal, medial, plantar) in longitudinal view. The static images were read by 2 blinded trained sonologists for the presence of double contour sign (DCS), erosions, and tophi.
Gout ; Validation Study