Septic and nonseptic olecranon bursitis. Utility of the surface temperature probe in the early differentiation of septic and nonseptic cases

Evaluation of current treatment regimens for prepatellar and olecranon bursitis in Switzerland

“…However, in the literature, clinical presentation (i.e., bursal swelling, redness, and tenderness) was not found to be suitable for differentiating between SB and NSB according to various studies [7,10,17,18]. Based on the evidence available, initial differentiation should be based on bursal temperature, bursal fluid analysis (white cell count, glucose, polymorphonuclear cell count), Gram staining, and gross aspirate characteristics [2,7,10,17,18], all of which were mentioned by less than 50 % of our Swiss colleagues. We could not identify the precise reason for this discrepancy.…”

“…[1] variables used to differentiate between SB and NSB, [2] difference in skin temperature between the affected and unaffected bursa, [3] intrabursal steroid injection is only indicated if NSB is verified by culture, [4] number chosen arbitrarily by the authors fluclaxacillin) or a first-generation cephalosporin (e.g., cefazolin) [1,3,4,7,10,17,20,26], unless Gram stain or other factors (e.g., allergies to antibiotics) suggest otherwise [22]. Considering that more than 95 % of bursitis pathogens are methicillin-sensitive cocci (S. aureus, streptococci), this coverage is certainly good, but it may be extensive.…”

Behandlung der traumatisch eröffneten Bursa olecrani und der chronischen Bursitis olecrani

“…B. Cefalexin) sowie alternativ Clindamycin (bei schweren Verläufen Vancomycin und Rifampicin-Kombinationstherapie) über 10 Tage behandelt werden [11,25]. Neben der historischen Hauttemperaturdifferenz [26] ist das einzig sichere Verfahren zur Unterscheidung gegenüber der aseptischen Burisitis die Kulturanlage des Bursa-Aspirats [27,28]. Bei purulentem Aspirat oder klinischem Verdacht auf eine septische Bursitis (Fieber >38°C, laborchemische Infektkonstellation, immunsupprimierter Patient) sollte eine Antibiose erfolgen [29].…”

Osteomyelitis Resulting from Chronic Septic Olecranon Bursitis: Report of Two Cases

“…[1][2][3][4] However, its incidence can be high in patients with frequently relapsing olecranon bursitis treated by repeated aspiration with or without intra-bursal drug injection, and/or repeated acupunctures. The two case reports herein are examples of such needle procedure-related septic bursitis complicating the contiguous olecranon erosion and/or osteomyelitis.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] We have described two cases of relapsing low grade septic bursitis complicating the contiguous olecranon osteomyeltis. It was reported that of those who developed septic olecranon bursa, about one-third gave a history of a previous non-infected olecranon bursitis.…”