ACUTE GOUTY BURSITIS - REPORT OF 15 CASES

Fifteen cases of acute gouty bursitis were seen among 136 crystal-proved cases of gout. Bursal aspirate yielded yellow or pink fluid in 10, chalky white fluid in 1, and a small amount of bloody fluid in 4. Monosodium urate crystals were present in all. Bursal fluid leucocyte counts averaged 2.9 x 109/l compared with synovial fluid leucocyte counts that averaged 25.5 x 109/l in cases of articular gout (P < 0.05). Gouty, septic, and idiopathic (traumatic) bursitis share clinical features, and detailed bursal fluid analysis is crucial for diagnosis.