Synonyms:
Student's elbow, Miner's elbow
Anatomy:
Several bursa occur in the posterior aspect of the elbow. Three common bursa occur and they include olecranon bursa (subcutaneous posterior to olecranon), deep intratendinoud bursa (within triceps near its insertion), deep subtendinous bursa (deep to triceps near insertion). Other uncommon bursae are subcutaneous medial and lateral epicondylar bursa, ulnar nerve bursa, subanconeous bursa.
Etiology:
Non-septic (2/3) : overuse, repeated traumatization (students, miners, American footballers), inflammatory arthropathy, obesity, uremia, RA, gout,
Septic (1/3): S.Auerus in 90%, rest in beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Riska include alcohol abuse, steroids, diabetes, renal impairment, malignancy
Clinical features:
Olecranon bursitis is a clinical diagnosis, and MRI is rarely performed. Clinical differentiation of septic and nonseptic bursitis may be difficult.
MRI:
Olecranon bursitis is a clinical diagnosis, and MRI is rarely performed. On Gd, rim enhancement is seen, even in non-septic bursitis. Associated features include joint effusion, soft tissue edema, thickened tricpes, bone marrow edema. It is not possible differentiate septic from non-septic bursitis.
References:
Floemer F et al. MRI Characteristics of Olecranon Bursitis.AJR 2004: 183: 29-34
