Question

A 67-year-old man presents with acute onset hot, swollen, painful right knee. He is febrile at 38.6 degrees Celsius and cannot bear weight. There is marked joint effusion. What is the most important immediate investigation?

Accepted Answer

Joint aspiration for Gram stain, culture and crystal analysis

Answer

Serum uric acid level

Answer

Plain X-ray of the knee

Answer

MRI of the knee

Answer

Doppler ultrasound of the leg

Practice question

A 67-year-old man presents with acute onset hot, swollen, painful right knee. He is febrile at 38.6 degrees Celsius and cannot bear weight. There is marked joint effusion. What is the most important immediate investigation?