Bursitis
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
IMAGING
General Features
Subacromial-subdeltoid bursa: Large bursa overlying rotator cuff tendons
Olecranon bursa: Overlies olecranon process & distal end of triceps tendon
Ischial tuberosity bursa: Between ischial tuberosity (hamstring tendon attachment) & gluteus maximus muscle
Iliopsoas bursa: Large bursa between iliopsoas tendon & anterior part of hip joint
Trochanteric bursa: Laterally overlies gluteus medius & minimus tendon insertion into greater trochanter femur
Subgluteus minimus bursa: Between gluteus minimus tendon & anterior facet greater trochanter
Subgluteus medius bursa: Between gluteus medius tendon & posterosuperior facet greater trochanter
Semimembranous bursa: Posteromedial to semimembranous musculotendinous junction & tendon posteromedial aspect distal thigh
Pes anserine bursa: Between sartorius, gracilis, semitendinosus tendons, & posteromedial tibia
Prepatellar bursa: Overlies inferior pole of patella & proximal patellar tendon
Infrapatellar bursa: Overlies mid-to-distal aspect of patellar tendon
Retrocalcaneal bursa: Between calcaneus, Achilles tendon, & Kager fat pad
Superficial calcaneal bursitis: Overlies distal aspect of Achilles tendon
Ultrasonographic Findings
Majority of bursae not visible on US unless distended with fluid or proliferative synovial tissue
Distended hypoechoic bursa
Acute bursitis: Thin-walled bursa distended with hypoechoic fluid, peribursal hyperemia
Chronic cases: Greater thickening of bursal wall, more mature synovial proliferation, more echogenic content, & increased likelihood of intrabursal hyperemia
that has been present for years but recently increased in pain and size.
. The bursa is distended by fluid and synovial proliferation and overlies the olecranon process 
. Olecranon bursae frequently have a thickened wall, internal debris, and septa. A noninflamed olecranon bursa is not visible on US.
, giving the bursa a multiloculated appearance. The normal triceps tendon insertion 
into the olecranon process is shown.
and peribursal tissues. The internal content and septations show no hyperemia.
