A Rare Presentation of Brodie Abscess in the Clavicle

Abstract

A 12-year-old otherwise healthy boy presented with acute shoulder pain and remote history of trauma. Despite an unimpressive clinical examination, laboratory workup, and initial radiographic evaluation, the patient was ultimately diagnosed with a Brodie abscess of the distal clavicle. Complete resolution was achieved with débridement and tailored antibiotic therapy. These abscesses are rare, often presenting surreptitiously with nonspecific symptoms and without systemic signs of infection. Therefore, maintaining a broad differential and high clinical suspicion is crucial to mitigate the increased morbidity that can result from a delayed diagnosis.

Brodie abscess in the clavicle: an uncommon presentation

“…It affects the metaphyses of the long bones, mainly the tibia, and is extremely uncommon in the clavicle; only few cases have been published. 6,7 Its characteristic clinical manifestations include pain, usually during the night, with little local reaction (erythema, edema). Blood cultures are generally negative and an increase in acute phase reactants is observed in the laboratory tests.…”

Absceso de Brodie en la clavícula: una forma poco frecuente de presentación

“…Su diagnóstico es dificultoso y se confunde con otras patologías. Compromete metáfisis de los huesos largos, principalmente la tibia, siendo extremadamente infrecuente la localización en la clavícula; existen pocos casos publicados 6,7. En cuanto a las manifestaciones clínicas, es característico el dolor, habitualmente nocturno, con escasa reacción local (eritema, edema).…”