Olecranon Bursitis

Malkin J, Shiimpton A, Wiselka M, Barer MR, Duddridge M, Pereta N. Olecranon bursitis secondary to Mycobacterium kansasii infection in a patient receiving infliximab for Behget s disease. J Med Microbiol 2009 58(3) 371-3. 

US demonstrates olecranon bursitis as a localized fluid collection and/or synovial wall hypertrophy within the subcutaneous tissue immediately posterior to the olecranon (Fig. 8.50). Soft-tissue hyperemia is often recognized with color and power Doppler imaging as an accompanying finding (Lin et al. 2000). The hypervascular pattern typically distributes in a rim-like peribursal pattern. In crystal deposition diseases, the US appearance of bursal fluid is more likely hyperechoic and associated with thickened and echogenic bursal walls (Fig. 8.51). In hemorrhagic and septic bursitis, the fluid may result in a complex... 

Fig. 8.50a-c. Chronic traumatic olecranon bursitis in a manual laborer who had recently injured several times his posterior right elbow, a Midsagittal and b transverse 12-5 MHz US images over the olecranon process (O) show a markedly distended olecranon bursa (arrowheads) containing thick septa (curved arrows) and anechoic effusion (asterisks). Straight arrows, distal triceps tendon, c Photograph showing the bursal lump (arrows) on the posterior elbow... 

Fig. 8.51a-c. Hydroxyapatite olecranon bursitis, a Transverse and b,c longitudinal 12-5 MHz US images of a painful soft-tissue mass over the olecranon (0) show the olecranon bursa filled with homogeneous highly echogenic fluid (asterisks) that could be seen fluctuating during probe compression. The bursa exhibits thickened walls (arrowheads) and septa (arrows). In this case, needle aspiration of the bursal fluid revealed calcium milk solution... 

Fig. 8.53a,b. Calcific olecranon bursitis in a patient with renal osteodystrophy, a Posterior midsagittal 12-5 MHz US image with b lateral radiographic correlation demonstrates a large calcification (asterisks) that lies superficial to the insertion of the distal triceps tendon (arrowheads) reflecting an extensively calcified bursa. Note the relation of the mass with the posterior olecranon... 

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