Brodie’s Abscess

• Etiology: Staphylococcus aureus most common, subacute osteomyelitis which can persist for years before converting to frank osteomyelitis
• Imaging: radiolucent center with reactive sclerosis + surrounding granulation tissue, lucent channel extending to physis is pathognomonic, sclerotic rim on radiograph fades away
• MRI: penumbra sign – central pus, enhancing granulation (penumbra), bone sclerosis (dark on all MRI sequences), surrounding marrow edema
• Clinical: may present with draining abscess

Cases of Brodie’s Abscess