a. Deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints
b. MSU phagocytosed by neutrophils in synovial fluid
c. Most often caused by under excretion of uric acid in the kidneys or HGPRT deficiciency
d. Seconday causes-> increased nucleated cell turnover (leukemia), decreased renal excreation (lead poisoning, alcoholism)
e. Podagra-> acute gout causing swelling, erythema and extreme pain and tenderness of the first metatarsal joint
f. Gouty tophus: An aggregate of dissolved urate crystals is surrounded by reactive fibroblasts, mononuclear inflammatory cells, and giant cells.
g. Clinical condiation associated w/ gout= urate nephropathy, renal stones, hypertenstion, coronary artery disease, interstitial nephritie (caused by lead poisioning)
h. Lab= hyperuricemia, joint aspitation is confirmatory