Aseptic Bursitis of the Elbow

A 58-year-old man had painless fluctuating swelling in the elbow for more than 2 weeks, and the swelling had increased even more during the last few days. The skin over the elbow was not warm or red, and there was no pain on palpation. The skin is thoroughly cleansed before the puncture. Puncture yielded several millilitres of bloody fluid. Such fluid should always be examined with bacterial staining and culture. Differential diagnosis includes bacterial bursitis which has a rapid onset and the skin is red and tender (video Septic Bursitis of the Elbow - Aspiration for Bacterial Culture). The puncture site is covered with a self-adhesive sterile dressing, and it should not be allowed to get wet on the puncture day.

Aseptic Bursitis of the Elbow