gout - occurs generally in patients over 40 years old; affects small joints, especially the great toe; clinical features include severe joint pain and swelling, hyperuricaemia; radiological features include soft-tissue swelling; there is uric acid crystal deposition in affected joints; treatment measures include rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. diclofenac, in chronic gout allopurinol prophylaxis
pseudogout - usually affects the elderly; large joints generally involved (especially the knee joint); clinical features include moderate joint pain and swelling; radiology reveals calcification of articular cartilage menisci; calcium pyrophosphate crystals are deposited in affected joints; possible treatment measures include rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and joint aspiration
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