[Pott's Puffy tumor: a forgotten complication of sinusitis]

Abstract

Pott's puffy tumor is a rare entity characterized by a swelling of the scalp due to a subperiosteal abscess associated to osteomyelitis in the frontal bone. It is often associated with a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma. Undiagnosed or partially treated frontal sinusitis can lead to Pott's puffy tumor, which requires rapid medical and surgical intervention to prevent complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Since the advent of antibiotics, Pott's puffy tumor has become rare to the point of almost being forgotten. We present a case of Pott's puffy tumor in a 15-year-old boy. This case is even more unusual because the tumor became complicated with orbital and intracranial involvement. The findings at computed tomography provided the key to the diagnosis in this patient.