BACKGROUND: Gout is a metabolic disease characterized by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals called tophi. The typical location of tophi is in the joint and will chronically damage the joint. However, there is a rare atypical dermatologic manifestation of tophi that occur extensively in the skin.

CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old male presented with acute pain in multiple joints. He had a history of gouty arthritis with recurrence attacks, in the past 2 years ago. Over time, he had gradual eruption of multiple tophi and multiple yellowish nodules under his skin which sometimes would ulcerate. Laboratory value showed creatinine 2.3 mg/dL and uric acid 11.5 mg/dL. Ultrasound of the kidney showed nephrocalcinosis appearance. Urate crystal was identified in skin biopsy of the nodules. We diagnosed the patient with chronic tophaceous gout with extensive cutaneous involvement. Given the renal impairment, we gave methylprednisolone 3 doses of 8 mg for 5 days then tapered off, colchicine 0.5 mg every other day and allopurinol 1 dose of 100 mg. The patient had dramatic improvement of his pain and is now being followed up regularly.

CONCLUSIONS: We describe a rare and severe extensive cutaneous manifestation in a chronic tophaceous gout patient.

Keywords: gout, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Uric Acid, Allopurinol, Arthritis, Gouty, Colchicine, Glucocorticoids, Gout Suppressants, Methylprednisolone, renal insufficiency, Skin Diseases