Ultrasound features of the deep infrapatellar bursa

Abstract

The knee is one ofthe most complicated joints in the body. The deep infrapatellar bursa being only a small water-pocket and forming a small part of the knee. The deep infrapatellar bursa can get inflamed and cause great discomfort, especially to professional sportsmen and -women. If such a inflammation is present, a common treament option are to inject a cortisone solution into the bursa for quick relieve and healing. This study was performed to investigate the specific ultrasound features of a normal deep infrapatellar bursa. Thus enableing more specific and accurate diagnosis of deep infrapatellar bursitis or not, which in turn leads to quicker recovery ofthe patients. A total of280 males and females from various population groups were recruited for the study. Subjects were categorized into different subgroups depending on their gender, ethnicity, competitiveness in sport, sport type practised and previous knee problems. These subgroups enabled a more individual specific DIB measurement. A high frequency ultrasound examination ofboth knees ofall recruits were performed. The deep infrapatellar bursa was located by slightly flexing the knee and applying not to much pressure with the probe whilst scanning. Three measurements, antero-posterio (AP), cranio-caudal (CC) and width measurements, were recorded ofeach individuals left and right deep infrapatellar bursa (DIB). The results ofthe DIB measurements were compared to results from a ultrasound study perfonned in Gennany and a favourable comparison could be made. MRI studies of the DIB performed in Turkey and Switzerland differed greatly from those of this study and Germany. This study could serve as a valuable source ofreference to sonographer, radiologist and orthopaedic surgeons when investigating the deep infrapatellar bursa. A statistical significant difference was shown for males having a larger DIB than female, for competitive sports people having a larger Dill than non-competitive sports people and also inactive people; and rugby players (as a sport type) have larger DIBs than cricketers, runners, soccer players and cyclists. Another surprising factor was the amazing ultrasound detection rate of the deep infrapatellar bursa, which allows for future easy and confident assessing of the DIB by ultrasound.