Brodie abscess

Brodie abscess is a bone infection - a hematogenous osteomyelitis which is subacute.

Brodie Abscess

Brodie Abscess

Incidence

It that accounts for 2.5%–42% of primary bone infections.

Patient characteristics

The patients are younger than 25 years of age. They usually present with joint pain and localized swelling.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of systemic disease are frequently absent and usually only have joint pain and swelling.

AP radiograph of the distal tibia showing a lytic lesion proved to be a subacute staphlococcal osteomyelitis.

Brodie abscess - subacute staphlococcal osteomyelitis.

Cause

• Staphylococcus aureus (30%–60%)
• Pseudomonas (5%)
• Klebsiella (5%) and
• Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (5%) are causative organisms.

Culture negative

20% of cultures are negative for these organisms.

Brodie Abscess MRI

Brodie Abscess MRI

Radiology

• Radiographically, an intramedullary area of central lucency with sclerotic margins is characteristic.

Differential diagnosis

• Differential diagnosis of Brodie abscess includes many forms of benign and malignant bone lesions including but not limited to bone cysts, osteoid osteoma, giant cell tumor, chondroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma.

Diagnosis

X-rays, CT scan, MRI, blood cultures etc.

Treatment

• A course of systemic antibiotics, surgical débridement.
• Sometimes bone grafting maybe required a large cavity requires stabilization.