Not Your Typical Preseptal Cellulitis: A Case Report Of Pott’s Puffy Tumor

Abstract

Pott’s puffy tumor (PPT) is defined as a subperiosteal abscess and osteomyelitis of the frontal bone that occurs as a rare complication of trauma or acute sinusitis. Most common presenting symptoms include headache, fever, rhinitis, local tenderness and nasal obstruction. While initially thought to be a rare entity, PPT appears to be occurring with increasing frequency with most complications managed surgically. We present a 14 year-old girl who presented with an initial diagnosis of preseptal cellulitis that failed both oral and intravenous antibiotics. Repeat imaging revealed a frontal bone subperiosteal abscess and osteomyelitis, without intracranial extension and was successfully managed medically without surgical intervention.