Subacute Osteomyelitis of Distal Tibia Traversing the Physis in a Child: A Case Report

A Brodie's abscess is a localized form of subacute or chronic osteomyelitis that occurs most often in the long bones of the lower extremities of young adults. Before physeal closure, it most commonly occurs in the metaphysis. In adults, the metaphyseal-epiphyseal area is involved. Rarely Brodie's abscess traverses the open growth plate, affecting the epiphysis, although such extension does not commonly result in growth disturbance. We reported a subacute osteomyelitis that traversed the physis of the distal tibia in a child, which was treated by surgical curettage and intravenous antibiotics.