Paranasal sinusitis complicated by Pott’s puffy tumour

• Main Authors: Paulina Przybysz, Piotr Hartmann, Teresa Jackowska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medical Communications Sp. z o.o. 2018-10-01
• Series: Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna
• Subjects: frontal swelling; complication of rhinosinusitis; Pott’s puffy tumour
• Online Access: http://www.pimr.pl/index.php/issues/2018-vol-14-no-3/paranasal-sinusitis-complicated-by-pott-s-puffy-tumour?aid=1236

Pott’s puffy tumour is defined as inflammation of the frontal bone marrow with an accompanying subperiosteal abscess manifested by swelling of the frontal region and is most often a complication of paranasal sinusitis or trauma. Early diagnosis and implementation of proper treatment are important due to the frequent co-occurrence of intracranial complications, such as epidural empyema, cerebral abscesses or meningitis. Due to the low prevalence of Pott’s puffy tumour, the knowledge on this severe complication relies on descriptions or series of cases, especially among children. We present a case of an 8-year-old girl who was admitted to the hospital due to headache and swelling in the frontal area. We also present a summary of the available publications on Pott’s puffy tumour. Diagnostic procedures revealed massive inflammatory changes in the paranasal sinuses, with the destruction of the frontal sinus walls, and showed a connection between the inflammatory lesions and the anterior cranial fossa. The girl was qualified for urgent neurosurgical and laryngological surgery.