Brodie's Abscess of the Humeral Paddle in a Child: A case Report

Brodie's abscess is a form of localized sub-acute osteomyelitis that rarely occurs in the humerus. Its diagnosis stems from clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The current paper describes the first case in the literature of humeral paddle Brodie's abscess. This report describes the first case of Brodie's abscess in the humeral paddle of a 12-year-old boy, revealed by swelling and pain in the right elbow. Radiographs and computerized tomography (CT) scans showed a well-defined cavitary surrounded by a rim of sclerosis, alongside evidence of cortical expansion and periosteal reaction. The patient was treated with debridement and curettage of the cavity combined with antibiotics. They resulted in the complete disappearance of the cavity. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient can practice daily activities with no pain, and imaging showed no signs of recurrence. The present case highlights the utility of CT scans in diagnosing Brodie's abscesses when an MRI is either unavailable or contraindicated. CT scans serve as a valuable alternative diagnostic modality in such cases.