Not a Simple Bump in the Head: A Complicated Case of Pott's Puffy Tumor
Sara Donvito, Matteo Alicandri-Ciufelli
Keywords :
Case report, Rhinology, Skull base, Sino nasal mass
Citation Information :
Donvito S, Alicandri-Ciufelli M. Not a Simple Bump in the Head: A Complicated Case of Pott's Puffy Tumor. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2024; 16 (3):159-162.
Aim: We hereby present a case of a complex Pott's puffy tumor.
Background: Pott's puffy tumor is an infrequent complication of frontal sinusitis characterized by swelling of the forehead and primarily affecting the pediatric population. It can be linked to intracranial complications, making treatment more challenging.
Case description: A young patient presented with frontal and ethmoidal sinusitis, along with frontal bone osteomyelitis, a subperiosteal abscess, and intracranial involvement. The patient underwent an external surgical approach to drain all the infectious material, followed by an extended course of intravenous antibiotics. Subsequently, a subopercular collection developed, necessitating a second external surgical drainage.
Conclusion: The patient was ultimately discharged with complete recovery and without any neurological sequelae.
Clinical significance: This case of a complex Pott's puffy tumor underscores how straightforward frontal sinusitis, when not adequately treated at an early stage, can result in severe intracranial complications.
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