- A dictionary of medical eponyms

Brodie's abscess

Related people

Chronic metaphyseal abscess of a bone, occurring as a puss-filled cavity surrounded by a wall of dense fibrous tissue, usually found in the metaphyses of the long bones. Initially asymptomatic (for years). Intermittent pain at end of a long bone (e.g. tibia); possible fever. It consists of necrotic debris and inflammatory cells, sometimes being sterile but in some instances, acting as a reservoir for the bacteria, leading to the development of osteomyelitis. The term was originally used for a tuberculous abscess of the head of the tibia.

Brodie’s patient was a man of 24 who had recurring symptoms in the lower extremity of his right tibia. On examination, Brodie found a pus filled cavity, for which he believed that amputation could be avoided by trephination of that cavity.

Bibliography

  • B. C. Brodie:
    An account of some cases of chronic abscess of the tibia.
    Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, London, 1832, 17: 239-249.

What is an eponym?

An eponym is a word derived from the name of a person, whether real or fictional. A medical eponym is thus any word related to medicine, whose name is derived from a person.

What is Whonamedit?

Whonamedit.com is a biographical dictionary of medical eponyms. It is our ambition to present a complete survey of all medical phenomena named for a person, with a biography of that person.

Disclaimer:

Whonamedit? does not give medical advice.
This survey of medical eponyms and the persons behind them is meant as a general interest site only. No information found here must under any circumstances be used for medical purposes, diagnostically, therapeutically or otherwise. If you, or anybody close to you, is affected, or believe to be affected, by any condition mentioned here: see a doctor.