Gout in the elbow, fingers, and eyelids is most characteristic of which finding?

• A. Tophi
• B. Podagra
• C. Intercritical gout
• D. Acute gout

Answer: (A)

The finding described points to tophi. Tophi are chalky deposits of monosodium urate crystals that form in soft tissues as gout becomes chronic. They commonly accumulate in atypical sites such as the elbow, fingers, and eyelids, producing nodules that can be seen or felt. This contrasts with podagra, which is an acute gout attack typically involving the big toe; intercritical gout refers to the asymptomatic period between flares; and acute gout describes the sudden inflammatory attack itself. The presence of visible, recurrent nodules in these soft-tissue locations is the hallmark of tophaceous gout.