Brodie's abscess

(Sir Benjamin Brodie, 1783 - 1862, English surgeon), a sharply delineated focus of infection (abscess) in bone. The lesion is frequently surrounded by eburnated bone and is lined by granulation tissue. The fluid in the abscess may be purulent or mucoid.

In osteomyelitis, single or multiple radiolucent abscesses can be observed in the subacute or chronic stage, usually located at the ends of tubular bones. The predominant microorganism is Staphylococcus. In children Brodie's abscesses occur in the metaphysis, especially of the tibia, but sometimes in other tubular, flat or irregular bones.

Radiographically the lesions are radiolucent with adjacent sclerosis (see abscess (III:1), Fig. 1). Diaphyseal abscess cavities can be located in central or subcortical areas or in the cortex itself; a radiodense sequestrum may be present. Epiphyseal abscesses appear as a circular, well-defined osteolytic lesion. Cortical abscesses are characterized by a small (less than 2 cm) circular or elliptical radiolucent lesion without calcification.

CT and MR imaging are useful in better defining the extent of the abscess.

DR