How much can a small bursa stretch? A curious case of massive superficial infrapatellar bursitis in the emergency department

Introduction: Inflammation of the infrapatellar bursa results from various causes like trauma, infection and overuse. Superficial skin or soft tissue infection can also lead to occasional septic bursitis. Infrapatellar bursa has two parts, superficial and deep bursae. Superficial bursa inflammation reactive to adjacent superficial skin infection may occasionally lead to secondary bursitis. Case Presentation: We report a rare finding of acute right knee pain with extraordinary amount of fluid collection within superficial part of infrapatellar bursa in an elderly male patient. A secondary, septic and massive superficial infrapatellar bursitis was unusual in its appearance mimicking neoplastic lesion. Judicious use of clinical assessment and imaging helped to diagnose the condition. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of bursitis can ensure optimal outcome and it can be used to check further complications. Atypical presentation of any bursitis should be acknowledged and the judicious use of clinical assessment and imaging is critical for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Retrospective Evaluation of Septic Subtendinous Calcaneal Bursitis in 29 Cattle

Septic subtendinous calcaneal bursitis in cattle commonly results from hock lesions, and less commonly from penetrating wounds. The goal of this retrospective study was to describe clinical and diagnostic imaging findings, outcomes, postoperative complications and postoperative survival times (SURV-T) in cattle with this condition. Clinical data from 29 cattle with a mean age of 4.1 years were included. Twelve (41.4%) cattle were assigned to group 1 (septic bursitis only) and 17 (58.6%) to group 2 (septic bursitis, concurrent bone infection at the calcaneal tuber (CT) and lesions of the superficial digital flexor tendon. Eleven cattle (37.9%) with comorbidities were euthanized after diagnosis due to poor prognosis. Surgical treatment was performed in 18 (62.1%) patients of which 15 showed full recovery and a median cumulative SURV-T of 23.0 months. The success rate of surgically treated patients was 100% (8/8) in group 1 and 70% (7/10) in group 2. There was no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) between the duration of septic bursitis and concurrent bone infection at the CT with occurrence of postoperative complications and SURV-T. However, there was a clear trend favoring more postoperative complications and shorter SURV-T in cattle with concurrent CT bone infection. In conclusion, cattle with septic subtendinous calcaneal bursitis exclusively have a good prognosis, provided adequate surgical treatment is performed.

Methicillin Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant Organism in Septic Bursitis with the Majority Involving the Olecranon Bursa: A Study of 65 Cases

Bursae are fluid filled structures between mobile parts of the musculoskeletal system to reduce friction by lubrication. Repeated trauma to bursae results in bursitis which are usually aseptic initially, which may be followed by infection. Many cases are related to occupational or recreational activities. We present an analysis of cases of Staphylococcus aureus septic bursitis admitted to 10 hospitals over a 3-year period. The olecranon bursa was the most common site involved 42/65 (64.6%) followed by prepatellar bursa 17/65 (26.1%). The mean age was 61.2 years. Fifty five out of Sixty-five (84.6%) were male. The majority were caused by methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus 52/65 (80%). The occupational history was missing for most patients. The occupations reported in few of the patient charts were floor worker, construction worker and roofer. Sixty one out of sixty-five (92.4%) of cases involved the elbow and knee. Avoidance of activities that result in repeated friction or trauma to elbows and knees would prevent majority of cases of septic bursitis.

Utilisation of musculoskeletal ultrasonography for the evaluation of septic arthritis in a patient presenting to the emergency department with fever during the era of COVID-19

Prompt recognition and treatment of septic arthritis are crucial to prevent significant morbidity and mortality in affected patients. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, anchoring bias may make an already challenging diagnosis like septic arthritis more difficult to diagnose quickly and efficiently. Musculoskeletal (MSK) point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an imaging modality that can be used to quickly and efficiently obtain objective findings that may help a clinician establish the diagnosis of septic arthritis. We report a case where MSK POCUS was a key element in establishing the diagnosis of glenohumeral joint septic arthritis and subdeltoid septic bursitis for a patient that presented to the emergency department with a fever during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1559. Methicillin Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Is The Predominant Organism In Septic Bursitis With The Majority Involving The Olecranon Bursa: A Study Of 61 Cases

Background Bursae are fluid filled structures between mobile parts of the musculoskeletal system to reduce friction between surfaces by lubrication. The most frequently infected are the olecranon and prepatellar bursae. In reported studies there is male preponderance, a relationship to occupational or recreational activities, a mean age of about 50 years and the most frequent organism being Staphylococcus aureus. The frequency of methicillin resistance is not well documented. Methods We analyzed approximately 7000 Staphylococcus aureus isolates reported by the laboratory over a 3-year period in 10 of our network hospitals, 9 in Eastern Pennsylvania and one in adjacent Warren County, New Jersey and found 61 cases of S. aureus septic bursitis. Results Only 13/61 (21.3%) were caused by methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), 8 olecranon (61.5%), 4 prepatellar (30.8%) and one subacromial (7.7%). Only one in MRSA group (olecranon bursitis) was female. The mean age of MRSA cases was 58.5. Methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) predominated with 34/48 (70.8%) olecranon bursitis (28M/6F), 11/48 (22.9%) prepatellar bursitis (10M/1F) and 3/48 (6.3%) sub acromial bursitis (1M/2F) with a mean age of 61.9. Overall (MRSA +MSSA), 51/61 (83.6%) were male and 10/61 (16.4%) were female. The olecranon bursa was involved in 42/61 (68.9%), prepatellar bursa 15/54 (24.6%) and subacromial bursa 4/54 (6.6%). The mean age for the entire group was 61.2 with the youngest 23 and the oldest 93. The occupational history was recorded only in a few patients e.g. roofer, floor worker, construction worker. Three in the MSSA group had bacteremia (2 subacromial bursitis and 1 olecranon bursitis). There was 1 death from gram negative sepsis which was unrelated. The majority were successfully treated with a combination of drainage and antibiotics. Conclusion In summary, our study shows a predominance of olecranon bursitis, with a higher incidence in males and majority caused by MSSA. The mean age around 61 was higher than the mean age in prior reports around 50 years. Elbows and knees accounted for 57/61 (93%) cases of septic bursitis. Avoidance of activities involving friction or repeated trauma to elbows and knees should help prevention of septic bursitis. As far as we are aware, this is the largest series of septic bursitis reported. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Pediatric Infectious Prepatellar Bursitis with Kingella kingae

We present the first reported case of septic prepatellar bursitis with Kingella kingae in a 2-year-old female. Although it is a well-established cause of osteoarticular infections in the pediatric population, K. kingae has never been reported as the etiology for septic bursitis. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis given that this organism is difficult to culture and isolate using standard laboratory methods. Our diagnosis was established through bursal fluid analysis, though oropharyngeal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be also be considered. Our case also builds upon prior literature suggesting that the pathophysiology of septic bursitis in children differs from that of the adult and may be more comparable to that of pediatric osteomyelitis. As an organism of increasing prevalence, K. kingae should remain high on the differential for osteoarticular or periarticular infections when cultures fail to isolate a distinct pathogen. Early diagnosis and a formal irrigation and debridement, if warranted, are crucial in preventing devastating complications of untreated septic bursitis.