Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Brodie's abscess
Introduction
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.