Hygroma of the elbow in dogs

Two serious complications-infection and skin ulceration-have been associated with the treatment of elbow hygromas in large and giant breed dogs. Infection in 3 dogs followed the injection of a corticosteroid preparation into the cavity of the hygroma. Skin ulceration developed in 6 dogs following excision of the hygroma and wound breakdown. These skin ulcers were eventually closed by a simple reconstructive procedure. It is recommended that hygromas should not be treated by aspiration and injection of corticosteroid preparations, or by excision. A simple drainage procedure was used successfully in the treatment of 18 hygromas.