Brodie abscess

Brodie abscess
Axial T1-weighted MRI image through the distal tibia showing Brodie abscess.
Specialty	Orthopedic surgery

A Brodie abscess is a subacute osteomyelitis, appearing as an accumulation of pus in bone, frequently with an insidious onset.^[1] Brodie's abscess is characterized by pain and swelling without fever, often resulting from diabetic wounds, fracture-related bone infection, or haematogenous osteomyelitis.

The condition is often diagnosed through imaging, which reveals distinctive "target signs" such as central necrosis, surrounding granulation tissue, fibrosis, and an outermost layer of oedema. A biopsy can rule out other possible diagnoses, such as bone tumors.

Surgery is the main treatment, often combined with antibiotics. The prognosis is generally favorable, with minimal risk of lasting disability or recurrence.

Brodie abscess is responsible for 2.5%-42% of primary bone infections. It is named after Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, 1st Baronet, who initially described the condition in the 1830s.