Pott's puffy tumor: as a very rare and unpredicted complication of ipsilateral pan sinusitis - case presentation and review of articles

K.M Bofares,Z.A Haqqar,I.M Ali

doi:10.4193/rhinol/21.036

Abstract

Pott's puffy tumor is considered as a rare clinical entity. It is developed as a rare complication of frontal sinusitis. In addition, the trauma to the frontal area is another suggested cause. The Pott's puffy tumor is presented as a forehead swelling due to sub-periosteal collection. Although, the Pott's puffy tumor is a rare condition but at the same time, it can be serious because it may lead to life threatening complications namely, extradural abscess, subdural abscess, meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess. Thus, the Pott's puffy tumor is classified as a very significant surgical emergency.

Highlights

Pott's Puffy tumor is a rare clinical entity characterized by subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis
The Pott's puffy tumor is a rare condition but at the same time, it can be serious because it may lead to life threatening complications namely, extradural abscess, subdural abscess, meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess
It is usually seen as a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma to the frontal region predominantly in the adolescent age group . [1-3] Pott's puffy tumor requires rapid medical and surgical intervention to prevent complications that increase morbidity and mortality

Summary

Introduction

Pott's Puffy tumor is a rare clinical entity characterized by subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis. The investigations showed significant leukocytosis (16,000 / mm3), ESR was 20mm / hr, and CT scan images revealed evidences of sub periosteal abscess of the cranial bone just above the left frontal sinus with evidences of left pan sinusitis without any evidences of intracranial involvement. By this moment, the patient was diagnosed as left pan sinusitis complicated by sub periosteal abscess of corresponding frontal cranial bone (Pott's puffy tumor). By the follow up sessions, first after one week, second after four weeks, and the third after eight weeks, the patient proved with complete local healing including the site of collected sub-periosteal abscess and 4- no any subsequent aesthetic changes at the area of frontal region

Findings

Discussion and review of literature

Conclusion