Successful Treatment of Multiple Bursal Cysts in Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND Bursitis frequently occurs in the various conditions of autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, but there have been few cases of effusive bursitis in systemic sclerosis. OBJECTIVE To present a case of systemic sclerosis with multiple bursitis on upper, lower extremities, and trunk with or without joint involvement. METHODS Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS Multiple asymptomatic cystic masses contained yellow and chalky sterile fluid, all of which were diagnosed as effusive bursitis. Most of them were treated with a surgical resection, a continuous drainage, and an injection of highly concentrated ethanol into their internal spaces. However, an intrabursal injection of emulsified triamcinolone acetonide was the only effective treatment for the giant mass that occurred on the right chest wall. CONCLUSION Successful treatment of multiple bursal cysts with systemic sclerosis was presented.