A 31-year-old army specialist presenting with acute oligoarthritis

Abstract

A 31-year-old Army specialist was evaluated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for an acute attack of arthritis in the left hand. After an initial evaluation, the patient was referred to the rheumatology service, and gout was diagnosed on the basis of synovial fluid analysis. This case demonstrates an uncommon presentation of a common disorder in an active duty soldier. The discussions presented following the clinical data are meant to expand diagnostic considerations for patients with similar symptoms, to address risk factors for gout relevant to the military, and to clarify the management of gout.