Brodie's abscess is a specific form of chronic osteomyelitis characterized by:

• A Acute pyogenic osteomyelitis with cortical destruction and periosteal reaction in a febrile child
• B A subacute intraosseous abscess with sclerotic rim, typically in the metaphysis, presenting with intermittent pain and no systemic features ✓
• C Chronic osteomyelitis with a sequestrum surrounded by involucrum and cloacae
• D Sclerosing osteomyelitis without a true abscess cavity (Garré's type)

Explanation

Brodie's abscess is a subacute haematogenous osteomyelitis characterised by a localised intraosseous abscess cavity with a surrounding sclerotic bone margin, typically in the distal tibial metaphysis of adolescents. Clinically it presents with weeks-to-months of intermittent pain and local tenderness, minimal systemic upset, and normal or mildly elevated inflammatory markers. The sequestrum-involucrum pattern describes classic chronic osteomyelitis. Garré's sclerosing osteomyelitis produces diffuse bone sclerosis without a drainable abscess. Acute osteomyelitis shows rapid bone destruction without sclerosis.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.