What are tophi, and what disease are they associated with?

Tophi are specific deposits that occur as a result of chronic gout, which is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. These deposits consist of monosodium urate crystals that form when there is an excess of uric acid in the body, leading to crystallization. This condition typically develops after many years of untreated or poorly managed gout, when uric acid levels have been high for an extended period.

The formation of tophi often occurs in areas such as the ears, joints, and surrounding tissues, where they can cause damage and inflammation. They are a visible manifestation of the underlying metabolic disorder associated with gout, making them significant indicators for diagnosis and management of the disease.

Other options describe different types of deposits associated with various conditions, but they do not involve the uric acid-related deposits seen in gout. For instance, calcium deposits are linked to osteoarthritis, cholesterol deposits relate to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, and glucose deposits are typically associated with diabetes, but none of these are relevant to the formation of tophi in the context of gout.