Gout crystals on aspiration appear as which of the following?

Prepare for the CMS II Rheumatology E1 Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Study using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

Gout crystals on aspiration appear as which of the following?

Explanation:
Gout crystals are monosodium urate crystals seen under polarized light as needle-shaped and negatively birefringent. Because of negative birefringence, they appear yellow when their long axis is parallel to the polarizer and blue when perpendicular. So the description of long, needle-like crystals that are yellow and negatively birefringent when aligned with the polarizer best fits gout. The other patterns point to different crystals (for example, calcium pyrophosphate crystals are rhomboid and positively birefringent and often blue), or to crystals without birefringence.

Gout crystals are monosodium urate crystals seen under polarized light as needle-shaped and negatively birefringent. Because of negative birefringence, they appear yellow when their long axis is parallel to the polarizer and blue when perpendicular. So the description of long, needle-like crystals that are yellow and negatively birefringent when aligned with the polarizer best fits gout. The other patterns point to different crystals (for example, calcium pyrophosphate crystals are rhomboid and positively birefringent and often blue), or to crystals without birefringence.

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