A Brodie's Abscess of Femoral Neck Mimicking Osteoid Osteoma: Diagnostic Approach and Management Strategy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Brodie's abscess usually presents as a diagnostic dilemma resulting in a diagnostic delay. It mimics various benign and malignant conditions both clinically and radiologically. CASE DETAILS: This report describes a case of a 14 year old boy who presented with a clinical and radiological picture of osteoid osteoma of proximal femur but found to have a brodie's abscess on histology and culture. CONCLUSION: It describes the clinical spectrum of subacute osteomyelitis, its unusual MRI features and the importance of obtaining a histological diagnosis before definitive treatment.