PET/CT of a brodie abscess

Brodie abscess is a rare, localized type of subacute or chronic pyogenic osteomyelitis, usually of staphylococcal origin. Imaging with standard radiographs, bone scintigraphy, and MRI has been described in the literature. We present the case of a 28-year-old patient with pain in the right knee. Whole-body FDG-PET/CT scan showed a solitary FDG-active (SUV max 5.2) intracortical lesion in the meta-/epiphysis of the proximal tibia. CT demonstrated a sclerotic rim around the lesion. A Brodie abscess was considered a possible diagnosis. Multifocality could be excluded. CT-guided transosseous biopsy and curettage was performed and the diagnosis of a Brodie abscess was confirmed.