Brodie's abscess: Brief review of key updates from the year 2010

Abstract

Brodie's abscess is an uncommon condition presenting as a subacute type of bone infection leading to localized pus collection. The common clinical presentation ranges from mild pain to serious functional impairment. The judicious radiological investigation helps in early diagnosis in suspected cases. The presence of a well-defined lytic lesion surrounded by sclerotic margins is a typical radiological feature that after exclusion may lead to a provisional diagnosis. The use of magnetic resonance imaging may prove supportive in further characterization of lesions and exclusion of related disorders. Final confirmation requires culture or histopathological evaluation following aspiration or biopsy following surgical drainage. The overall outcome has been good, following the appropriate diagnosis and management. This article attempts to give readers an overview of the reported cases or small series in the last decade (2010 onwards) in PubMed. This shall serve as a recollection of the spectrum of the clinical presentation and management of Brodie's abscess for educative purposes.