Staphylococcal infection of the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa.

A patient with a Staphylococcus aureus infection of the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa is described. Instillation of radiocontrast dye into the purulent cavity provided evidence that the infection was localized to the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa. The use of bursography/arthrography to define the site and extent of shoulder infections may help to determine the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy and the prognosis for cartilage and/or bone destruction.