Swelling of olecranon bursa in uremic patients receiving hemodialysis

Three patients with chronic renal failure who received therapy with hemodialysis through arteriovenous fistulas in the forearm had fluctuating swelling over the elbow on the same side as the fistula used for the dialysis. The clinical findings in each case were compatible with olecranon bursitis with effusion. The aspirate obtained from the swellings contained lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and histiocytes, a finding similar to that in cases of uremic pericardial and pleural effusion. Biopsy of the bursa in one case showed hyalinized collagenous tissue with infiltration by histiocytes and lymphocytes, reflecting underlying chronic inflammation. Uremia was believed to be the causative factor. Bursitis with effusion is considered to be one of the clinical aspects of uremic polyserositis.