Symptomatic bicipitoradial bursitis: a report of two cases and review of the literature

The EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound - Part I: Extraarticular Pathologies

The first part of the guidelines and recommendations for musculoskeletal ultrasound, produced under the auspices of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB), provides information about the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound for assessing extraarticular structures (muscles, tendons, entheses, ligaments, bones, bursae, fasciae, nerves, skin, subcutaneous tissues, and nails) and their pathologies. Clinical applications, practical points, limitations, and artifacts are described and discussed for every structure. After an extensive literature review, the recommendations have been developed according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine and GRADE criteria and the consensus level was established through a Delphi process. The document is intended to guide clinical users in their daily practice.

Bicipitoradial bursitis: A diagnosis challenge!

Bicipitoradial bursitis should be considered in patients with antecubital mass and painful forearm pronation and supination movement. It can be due to several conditions such as calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition, even in young patients. Ultrasound is useful to confirm the diagnosis, determine the etiology and to guide the treatment of bicipitoradial bursitis.

Imaging bicipitoradial bursitis: a pictorial essay

Although bicipitoradial bursitis is not commonly seen, when it does occur, it can frequently lead to diagnostic difficulty, mimicking either a soft-tissue tumor or infection. Lack of awareness of this uncommon entity can lead to unnecessary anxiety or tissue biopsy. This pictorial essay discusses the normal anatomy of the bicipitoradial bursa and the spectrum of imaging findings of bicipital bursitis.

Endoscopic Resection of the Bicipitoradial Bursa

The bicipitoradial bursa lies at the insertion of the biceps tendon on the radial tuberosity. It is an unusual site for chronic bursitis. It can be treated conservatively with aspiration and steroid injection. Surgical excision of the bursa is indicated in case of infection cause, failed conservative treatment with recurrence of the enlarged bursa and pain after aspiration, the presence of nerve compression with neurological impairment, mechanical limitation to flexion and extension of the elbow or biceps tendon degeneration, and/or functional impairment. Open resection through the anterior approach requires extensive dissection to expose the radial tuberosity and the radial neck, which increases the risk of neurovascular injury. Endoscopic resection is possible through distal biceps tendoscopy and endoscopy around the radial neck. It is technically demanding and should be reserved to the experienced elbow arthroscopist.

Bicipitoradial Bursitis: A Review of Clinical Presentation and Treatment

The bicipitoradial bursa lies at the insertion of the biceps tendon on the radial tuberosity. It is an unusual site for chronic bursitis and most often results from repetitive mechanical trauma or overuse. Other causes include tuberculosis, immunological complications of rheumatological disease and synovial chondromatosis. Accurate diagnosis requires imaging studies and sometimes histological study. It can be treated conservatively with aspiration and steroid injection. Surgical excision of the bursa is indicated in the case of infection cause, failed conservative treatment with recurrence of the enlarged bursa and pain after aspiration, presence of nerve compression with neurological impairment, mechanical limitation to flexion, and extension of the elbow or biceps tendon degeneration and/or functional impairment.

Value of ultrasound before joint aspiration

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to illustrate and discuss the value of ultra-sound screening before joint aspiration.

CONCLUSION

Before joint aspiration, ultrasound assessment of the overlying and surrounding soft tissues requires little time and is relatively inexpensive. Bursal fluid collections, soft-tissue abscesses, and other fluid collections that would be undetected with fluoroscopy or blind aspiration can thus be identified. Ultrasound screening before joint aspiration can aid diagnosis and decrease the risk of iatrogenic complications.