Pott’s Puffy Tumors

Abstract

Pott’s puffy tumor is an uncommon form of cranial osteomyelitis, mostly a complication of frontal sinusitis in an adolescent male presenting with a forehead subperiosteal abscess, frontal osteomyelitis, and possible intracranial and/or orbital extensions. The subperiosteal abscess is usually misdiagnosed as a primary scalp abscess. Diagnosis historically has been made on a clinical basis, but modern neuroimaging tools demonstrate more anatomical details, especially when intracranial or orbital complications occur. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to treat frontal sinusitis, cranial bone infection, and its intracranial complications. Antibiotic therapy should include broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs against organisms of paranasal air sinus origin. The outcome, though generally good, is related to the severity of intracranial infections and to the delay in diagnosis.