J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2011 Feb;46(1):73-77. 10.4055/jkoa.2011.46.1.73.

Spontaneously Regressed Bilateral Scapulothoracic Bursitis

• Sohn KM
• Moon DG
• Sung CM
• Choi PY
• Park HB

• KMID: 2106575
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2011.46.1.73

Abstract

Scapulothoracic bursitis causes snapping scapular syndrome, which is characterized by shoulder pain accompanying bony crepitation during shoulder motion, or as an isolated entity causing shoulder discomfort. The pathogenesis of scapulothoracic bursa formation is thought to be related to chronic repetitive mechanical stress on the periscapular tissue, usually from the result of a bone abnormality (a protrusion of the scapula or rib cage). Scapulothracic bursitis is treated with conservative management and the result can be successful. Accurate diagnosis is important because surgery is not necessary except for cases with pain, excessive friction, or dysfunction. We report a patient with rapidly developed bilateral scapulothoracic bursitis without pain and snapping, which can be confused with a soft tissue sarcoma. In this case, conservative management was used to treat the patient.

Keyword

scapulothoracic bursitis

MeSH Terms

Bursitis
Friction
Humans
Ribs
Sarcoma
Scapula
Shoulder
Shoulder Pain
Stress, Mechanical

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Clinical photograph shows the large bilateral masses below the inferior angles of both scapulae.

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  Figure 2 MR images demonstrate the well-circumscribed cystic masses located between the serratus anterior and the chest wall. The right-side cystic mass, which measures approximately 10 cm × 5.5 cm × 4 cm, demonstrates homogeneous low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (A), and homogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (B). The left-side cystic mass, which measures 10 cm × 4 cm × 3.2 cm, demonstrates homogeneous low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (C), and homogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (D).

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  Figure 3 A diagnostic aspiration indicates that the cystic fluid is blood.

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