Streptococcus pyogenes Associated Post-traumatic Brodie's Abscess of Cuboid: A Case Report and Review of Literature

J Orthop Case Rep. 2015 Jul-Sep;5(3):84-6. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.318.

Abstract

Introduction: Brodie's abscess of cuboid bone is one of the rarest diagnosis in children which most often is hematogenous in origin. Although Streptococcus pyogenes has been uncommonly implicated as causative organism in other bones, it is not yet reported in the cuboid.

Case report: We report the case of 14-year-old boy who presented with a lytic lesion in the cuboid bone. It was preceded by a penetrating injury with a small iron nail. He was treated with simple curettage without the addition of bone graft. Frank pus present in the cavity in the cuboid bone grew S. pyogenes on bacterial culture. Symptoms resolved after 6 weeks of antibiotics, however, complete radiological healing was obtained after 9 months.

Conclusion: Although very rare, S. pyogenes associated Brodie's abscess should strongly be suspected in a posttraumatic lytic lesion in the cuboid bone and bone grafting is not always required for bone healing even in presence of large pus-filled cavity.

Keywords: Brodie’s abscess; Streptococcus pyogenes; cuboid; osteomyelitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports