Brodie's abscess

Brodie's abscess is a subacute osteomyelitis, which may persist for years before converting to a frank osteomyelitis. Classically, this may present after conversion as a draining abscess extending from the tibia out through the shin.

Most frequent causitive organism is Staphylococcus aureus.

Classic clinical presentation: Localized pain, often nocturnal, alleviated by aspirin. Often mimics the symptoms of Osteoid osteoma.

Most frequent sites: Distal tibia, proximal tibia, distal femur, proximal or distal fibula, and distal radius.

Raidographic features: Oval elliptical or serpiginous radiolucency usually >1cm surrounded by a heavily reactive sclerosis and a Nidus often less than 1cm.

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