A 16-year-old girl presents with progressive painless swelling of the mandible over several months. There is no fever. Radiograph shows diffuse sclerosis and cortical thickening without sequestrum or lucency. Biopsy shows dense lamellar bone with a chronic nonspecific inflammatory infiltrate. What is the diagnosis?
- A Brodie's abscess
- B Osteoid osteoma
- C Garre's sclerosing osteomyelitis ✓
- D Ewing sarcoma
Correct answer: C. Garre's sclerosing osteomyelitis
Explanation
Garre's sclerosing osteomyelitis is a nonsuppurative form of chronic osteomyelitis seen in children and young adults, classically affecting the mandible. It produces marked reactive sclerosis and cortical thickening without sequestrum, abscess or sinus formation, and biopsy shows only dense bone with chronic inflammation. Brodie's abscess is distinguished by its central lytic cavity with a sclerotic rim, which is absent here.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.