Tophaceous gout of the spine: A case report and review of the literature

Tophaceous gout is the final phase in the development of gout. Tophi form from the deposition of monosodium urate crystals can be found in the surrounding joints and periarticular tissues. Accumulation of tophi in the spine is rare. We report a case of spinal gout involving the thoracic spine resulted in spinal cord compression and incomplete paraplegia. Surgery was performed for decompressing the spinal canal, and tophaceous gout is certified from intraoperative and histological examination.