A Case of Brodie's Abscess in Distal Radius of Pediatric following Percutaneous Fixation

Abstract

Distal radius fractures are among the most common pediatric fractures. In unstable fractures, treatment methods include closed or open reduction and percutaneous pinning with Kirschner wire (K-wire). This report presents a 13-year-old boy with an unstable distal radius and ulnar fractures, following an accident, who was treated with open reduction and K-wire fixation. He had pain and limited wrist range of motion for 6 months. Conventional radiography revealed a lytic lesion with evident sclerotic margin. Chronic osteomyelitis and Brodie's abscess were also indicated. A complete curettage and antibiotic therapy for 3 months was successful. Culturing results showed that Staphylococcus aureus and pathologic findings were in favor of chronic osteomyelitis. Subacute osteomyelitis and Brodie's abscess are rare retarded complications in percutaneous pinning of distal radius pediatric fractures. The curettage of the lesion and antibiotic therapy for at least 3 months would be successful and could result in good prognosis among children.

A Case Report of Pin Site Osteomyelitis after 17 Years of External Fixator Application to Distal Radius Fracture

“…4 Reports on delayed presentation of osteomyelitis following prior inoculation are uncommon. 6 Libraty et al 7 published a case report of a 85-year-old female patient diagnosed with reactivation of osteomyelitis in her left femur after presenting with pain and purulent drainage from her left thigh. She had completed treatment for osteomyelitis at the same site 75 years ago and was well during the intervening period.…”