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Evidence summaries

Culture of Bursal Fluid in Liquid Media

Culture in liquid media may be more effective than direct culture in the diagnosis of septic bursitis. Level of evidence: "C"

In a prospective study 1 of 36 patients (28 with olecranon and 8 with prepatellar bursitis) were recruited from 54 consequtive patients with these conditions. The bursitis was classified either septic or non-septic by an independent panel of senior clinicians, not otherwise involved in the study, on the basis of clinical, laboratory, treatment, and follow-up data. Positive results were obtained on culture in liquid media in all 17 cases of septic bursitis, and on direct culture in 10 cases (p<0.05, McNemar's test with continuity correction).

    References

    • Stell IM, Gransden WR. Simple tests for septic bursitis: comparative study. BMJ 1998 Jun 20;316(7148):1877. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords