CASE REPORT article

Front. Surg., 27 June 2022

Sec. Neurosurgery

Volume 9 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2022.889463

Case Report: Pott's Edematous Tumor: Complicated Frontal Sinusitis - An Unremembered Diagnosis

    AC

    Ana Cristina Veiga Silva 1,2*

    CM

    Camila Mendonça Lins 3

    RF

    Renan Furtado de Almeida Mendes 4

    MH

    Marcelo Henrique Simões Silva 5

    JF

    Joaquim Fechine de Alencar Neto 6

    CL

    Caio César Maia Lopes 3

    GL

    Gabriela Lisboa de Souza Ferraz 3

    DD

    Diego Felipe Rodrigues de Sousa 7

    LS

    Luiz Severo Bem Junior 2

    MM

    Marcelo Moraes Valença 2

    HR

    Hildo Rocha Cirne de Azevedo-Filho 1,2

  • 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital da Restauração, Recife, Brazil

  • 2. Neuroscience Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil

  • 3. Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

  • 4. Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil

  • 5. Department of Pathology of the Medicine Faculty, University of Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

  • 6. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Unifacisa university center, Campina Grande, Brazil

  • 7. Department of Radiology, Hospital da Restauração, Recife, Brazil

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Abstract

Pott’s Puffy tumor, also called Pott’s edematous tumor (PET), is a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone, associated with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. In this paper, we report the case of a 16-year-old patient who presented with headache associated with progressive forehead swelling and fever. Clinical and imaging exams pointed to the hypothesis of PET associated with brain abscess. Patient was submitted to surgical excision of the abscess and treatment of osteomyelitis, with intraoperative findings corroborating the condition. There was a good clinical-radiological recovery associated with prolonged antibiotic therapy and satisfactory follow-up after hospital. PET, which often results from an underdiagnosed or partially treated frontal sinusitis, is a condition that must be promptly recognized and directed to an adequate therapeutic approach due to the risk of serious complications that it entails.

Introduction

PET is usually an extracranial complication of frontal sinusitis and is characterized as subperiosteal abscess of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus, associated with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. It was first described by Sir Percival Pott, as a consequence of head trauma (1), however, it is known that currently the main causes are rhinosinusitis, acute or chronic, underdiagnosed or inadequately treated (24). PET may still be associated with other conditions such as drug use, infections and frontal surgeries (2).

Due to the modern age of antibiotics, it is a rare entity and occurs more frequently in adolescents, probably due to vascularization and abundant flow in the diploic veins in this age group, facilitating the spread of infection (3). Its most common clinical manifestation is localized frontal swelling accompanied by fever and headache (2).

Early diagnosis plays a decisive role in patients with PET, as it allows the execution of precise treatment before the onset of complications, such as epidural, cerebral abscesses, subdural empyema, meningitis, and cerebral venous thrombosis. The clinical history added to the radiological findings of computed tomography (CT) directs the diagnosis. In cases of suspected intracranial injury, magnetic resonance (MRI) is indicated (4).

We describe the case of an adolescent patient, complaining of headache and presenting with fever, vomiting and forehead swelling. The patient, without known comorbidities, developed an intracranial complication of an infrequent sinus infection. The findings reported were related to relevant data from the literature, emphasizing the management and the need for early diagnosis.

Methods

This article is a case report with a literature review. Patient data and images were collected by the researchers who participated in the patient’s care. The consent form was signed, and the patient and guardians are aware of the possibility of writing and publishing the data and images present in the manuscript. The literature was reviewed by one of the researchers based on the search for articles in the PubMed database. For the research, the following keywords were inserted: “Pott puffy” and “tumor”, “Pott’s edematous tumor”. The “Boolean Operator” “AND” was used to maximize the amount of articles published. Inclusion criteria reached articles published in the last five years, case reports and patients aged up to 18 years. Thus, 49 articles were found based on the ones, of which 22 met the defined analysis criteria.

Case Description

Female patient, 16-year-old, single, brown, student, born in rural area of Pernambuco/Brazil, referred to the neurology and neurosurgery service of the Hospital da Restauração with a history of frontal, pulsing and progressive headache, worsening over weeks, associated with emetic episodes and fever. The condition evolved with progressive growth of a painful, adhered and fibroelastic consistency mass in the central region of the forehead of the skull, eight days before admission. Report of fever stopped two days after admission, with no signs of meningism, rhinorrhea or any focal neurological deficit. No traumatic event, past or recurrence of sinusopathy or other comorbidity that was related. Patient also referred no use of antibiotics. Laboratory tests also did not present alterations of hematimetric indices or inflammatory tests.

Blood culture was not performed. CT scan of the skull was performed, which showed an expansive hypodense lesion in the frontal region with intracranial extension associated with perilesional edema (Figure 1), and then transferred to the neurosurgery department with suspicion that the identified expansive formation would have neoplastic origin.

Figure 1

Figure 1

(A) Cranial CT, without contrast, axial cut, evidencing subgaleal hypoattenuating formation in the frontal region, noting in the same plane, but in intracranial and extra-axial situation, hypoattenuating lesion with expansive character associated with irregularities in the contours of the inner table of the adjacent frontal bone. (B) bone window, in the same plane of subgaleal and extra-axial lesions, evidencing in the frontal bone, especially in the internal table lytic destruction with bone discontinuity.

The patient underwent brain MRI, which revealed an expansive lesion in the frontal subcutaneous tissue, extending through a bone defect in the frontal sinus that communicated with an extra-axial nodular formation with intra-axial component and circumcision edema with important compressive effect, suggesting a complicated PET with concomitant cerebral abscess (Figure 2). Empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone (2 g administrated 12 h/12 h) and metronidazole (7,5 mg/kg administrated each 8 h) was initiated, for eight days before the surgery. Intranasal corticosteroid therapy was not prescribed for our patient.

Figure 2

Figure 2

(A) Skull CT, without contrast, axial section, evidencing frontal extra-axial lesion, in left paramedian situation and hypoattenuation in the white matter of the left frontal lobe; (B) brain MRI, T2/FLAIR, axial, shows better the extra-axial expansive formation, located in the left anterior frontal pole, rounded, with apparent capsule, promoting compressive effect on the adjacent parenchyma, besides evidencing in adjacent frontal lobe small intraparenchymal lesion surrounded by important edema; (C) MRI of the brain, T1 after axial contrast, with important peripheral enhancement of both the extra-axial lesion (including with important enhancement of the locoregional meningeal plane) and intra-axial; (D) (DWI, axial section) evidences important central restriction of the extra-axial lesion with corresponding signal loss on the ADC Map (E) being compatible with empyema/abscess.

The patient was submitted to neurosurgical approach by bicoronal incision and, as cutaneous flap was rebalanced, granulation tissue, bone erosion with dural adhesion and spontaneous extravasation of purulent secretion was identified. Drainage of the abscess by puncture initially. Performed 5 × 5 cm frontal craniotomy resecting the entire osteomyelitis area. Resected the residual abscess and capsule, a fistulous hole (Figure 3B) was verified communicating purulent contents of the frontal sinus with brain abscess. After cranialization of the frontal sinus, evacuation of the subdural empyema and subgaleal abscess, exhaustive cavity washing was performed with 1,500 mL of saline plus gentamicin. Cranial reconstruction performed with autologous bone part, after curettage and drill of the internal eroded plate of the frontal bone flap and resected material (pus, granulation tissue and frontal sinus mucosa) sent for microbiological analysis and culture, but it was not identified any organism’s growth. This sterile culture result was probably due to empirical use of preoperative antibiotics, but anaerobic causative agents, destroyed after contact with oxygen, are also a possibility. Similarly, access to histological examination of the frontal sinus mucosa and the granulation tissue collected was not obtained. This type of intervention - surgical approach, associated with antibiotic therapy, was determined based on characteristics such as continuous abscess growth, intracranial mass effect, risk of complications, and neurological deficits.

Figure 3

Figure 3

(A) Positioning for surgical approach and marking of the bicoronal incision, evidencing the protuberance of the forehead by progressive swelling. (B) Intraoperative image after craniotomy with emphasis on fistulous hole of communication with frontal sinus, enhanced.

The patient followed a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotic therapy, ceftriaxone, and metronidazole (7 weeks). A new MRI was performed, 28 days after surgery, and showed the surgical a marked reduction of the frontal extra-axial collection. Meningeal thickening and residual frontal abscess surround by perilesional edema were observed, as shown in the pre and postoperative comparative images in Figure 4.

Figure 4

Figure 4

Comparative study between MRI in axial, sagittal and coronal sections before and after the surgical approach.

Due to the significant improvement of our patient condition, she was discharged after 43 days of post-surgical follow-up, with complementary oral antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin. It was chosen due to their broad spectrum, low cost, affordability and recommendation by the Hospital Infection Control Committee. The patient was subsequent outpatient follow-up at the service during the first 9 months, in three consultations, with satisfactory clinical, functional, and radiological control. Diagnosis and hospital therapy did not involve an otolaryngologist, but the patient was referred to a professional in the area.

Discussion

PET is a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone as a result of osteomyelitis of the frontal sinus walls (1). Episodes of cranial osteomyelitis are considered rare and are most commonly seen in countries with reduced health capacity, although an increase in the number of cases reported from the second millennium has been observed, most likely due to the improvement in the diagnostic capacity of radiological examinations (5).

Many papers details case reports of PET, and the number of children affected, and the similarity of the associated signs and symptoms are quite relevant, especially in correspondence with the affected locations and the consequent surgical intervention, as described in Table 1. Although this condition can affect both sexes and any age group, reviewing 24 case reports on Pott’s Puffy tumor in patients up to 18 years of age published in the last 5 years, we found reports of patients between 5 and 17 years of age (22 males and 2 females), and observed that there is a higher prevalence among adolescents, in an average age group of 11 years, and in males, as could be noted in Table 1, corresponding to 70% of cases (4). This occurs by the pneumatization process, venous drainage and the peak blood circulation in diploic veins, which occurs around 15 years of age (28). In addition, brain abscess is a complication found in only 12% of patients with PET, and is therefore a relevant fact in the case discussed (4).

Table 1

Author/YearAge/SexMedical historySigns and symptomsFeaturesPathogenic agentDrug treatmentSurgical interventionOutcome
Tibesar, R.J. (6)15 / MaleNot MentionedNasal obstruction, headache, congestion, and facial pain. Right eye and forehead swellingFluid collection over the right frontal bone and cortical breakdown on anterior tableStreptococcus intermediusVancomycin, ceftriaxone, and metronidazoleDrainage of the forehead and the right orbital subperiosteal abscess. Frontal sinus trephinationComplete recovery.
Hassan, S. (7)15 / MaleFacial injury from a basketballProptosis and eyelid edema. Fever and inferior hemorrhagic chemosis with mild prolapsLeft extraconal fluid collection, frontal bone osteomyelitis, continued paranasal sinus disease, and a tiny epidural abscess over the frontal lobeFusobacterium nucleatumVancomycin and ampicillin-sulbactam / ceftriaxone and metronidazoleOrbitotomy and superotemporal abscess drainage and left ethmoidectomy, uncinectomy, and frontal sinusotomy with trephinationThe patient had a complete improvement
Joo, M.J. (8)07 / FemaleNothing noteworthyHeadache and left-sided upper eyelid redness with periorbital swellingLeft-sided frontal sinusitis and osteomyelitis outer table (left frontal sinus) with associated cellulitis of the supraorbital soft tissuesNot MentionedIV ampicillin/sulbactamProcedure not describedDischarged home without further complications.
Miri, A. (9)14 / Malerecurrent (MSSA) nasal infection, and episodes of facial cellulitisFrontal headache and forehead swelling. Fever, malaise, and mild cough. Bilateral eyelid edema, and nasal vestibule with dried blood and excoriationsFrontal subgaleal abscess, early osteomyelitis, mild frontal dural meningitis, bilateral preseptal cellulitis, and chronic paranasal sinus diseaseMRSA and group A StreptococcusCefepime, vancomycin, and metronidazoleBilateral maxillary antrostomy, right total ethmoidectomy, left anterior ethmoidectomy, bilateral frontal sinusotomy. Drainage of PETBrain and orbit resolution of dural enhancement and abscess
Stoddard, T. J. (10)13 / MaleSeasonal allergiesHeadache, forehead swelling and feverRight subperiosteal abscess in frontal sinus and right frontal epidural abscessMicroaerophilic Streptococcus speciesVancomycin, ceftriaxone, and metronidazoleRight craniotomy and epidural abscess evacuationPatient improvement with any long-term sequalae
Patel, A. (11)13 / MaleEar pain and sinuses after scuba divingFrontal headache and left forehead swelling, periorbital edema, malaise, and emesisOpacification of frontal sinuses and left anterior ethmoid air cells; frontal subperiosteal abscess and dural enhancementNegative cultures for growth of organismsCeftriaxone, vancomycin, and metronidazoleIncision and drainage of the left frontal subperiosteal abscess, bilateral endoscopic frontal sinusotomy, bilateral endoscopic anterior ethmoidectomy, bilateral maxillary antrostomyFull recovery without any further complications
Costa, L. (12)13 / MaleRepeated superior airway infectionsFever, headache and photophobia, right periorbital swelling, cellulitis around the right eye and frontal right tumefactionPansinusitis with frontal subcutaneous abscess, inter-hemispheric empyema, and right orbital abscessNo microbiological resultsVancomycin, ceftriaxone, and metronidazoleDrainage of frontal subcutaneous abscess and frontal sinus trepanation, frontal craniotomy with drainage of orbital abscess and interhemispheric and frontal empyemaThe patient evolved favorably
AlSarhan, H. (13)14 / MaleNothing noteworthyHeadache and upper respiratory tract infection. Fever and right-sided frontal swelling.Opacity of the left maxillary and frontal sinuses and ethmoid air cells. Osteomyelitis in the frontal and right parietal bones and subgaleal abscessStaphylococcus aureus and Peptostreptococcus microsVancomycin and meropenemAspiration of the right frontal swelling. A right eyebrow incision to evacuate the pus. Trephining of the left frontal sinus was performedThe patient improved and no adverse events were reported
Olmaz, B. (14)12 / MaleNot MentionedGeneralized headache, enderness at the forehead region and a fluctuant subcutaneous massSinusitis in frontal, ethmoid and right maxillary sinuses with stranding of fat planes in supraorbital subcutaneous tissueNot MentionedCeftriaxoneBicoronal skin flap incision with drainage of abscess cavity. A craniectomy to remove infected bony segments was performed.Not Mentioned
Podolsky-Gondim, G.G. (15)14 / MaleObesity, asthma and a chronic use of steroidsLeft forehead bulgingEpidural and frontal periosteal abscess. Bony erosion of the internal wall of the frontal sinusPeptostreptococcus speciesCeftriaxone/ oxacillin/metronidazole and oral amoxicillin with clavulanic acidBicoronal skin incision and left frontal craniotomy for drainage of the abscess. The left frontal sinus was cranialized and an extensive removal of debrisFavorable outcome upon long-term follow-up
Öztürk, N. (16)15 / MaleNot MentionedHeadache and swelling in both eye and foreheadErosion in the anterior wall of the frontal. Collection and a sclerotic lesion in both frontal sinuses with development of subperiostal abscessNot MentionedCeftriaxone and teicoplaninProcedure not describedNot Mentioned
Linton, S. (17)16 / MaleNothing noteworthyRight frontal swelling and headache. Fever, right orbital proptosis, chemosis, decreased extraocular movement and double visionRight frontal sinusitis with bony erosion, subperiosteal collection extension into the lateral wall of the orbitNot MentionedCoamoxiclav, metronidazole and otrivine nasal decongestantSupraorbital incision to exploration and drainage of the right subperiosteal frontal and superotemporal orbital abscessImprovement in proptosis and diplopia, but visual acuity remained poor
Reddan, T. (18)06 / MaleNothing noteworthySwelling of the right forehead and headacheOpacification of the right paranasal sinuses, subperiosteal collectionNot MentionedNot MentionedProcedure not describedThe patient evolved favorably
Ikoma, N. (19)12 / MaleNot MentionedFever and painful forehead swellingEpidural abscess and air between the frontal bone and superior sagittal sinus and fluid in the right sinusesNot MentionedMeropenem and vancomycin / ceftriaxone and metronidazoleRemoval of frontal bone and the drainage of epidural abscess and affected sinuses.Not Mentioned
Sharma, P. (20)08 / FemaleSinusitisPersistent headaches and frontal swellingFrontal sinusitis, frontal bone defect, and frontal epidural collection - epidural abscessStreptococcus intermediusNot MentionedCraniotomy with trephination and drainage of the brain abscess. Left ethmoidectomy and frontal and maxillaryResolution of the subperiostealand epidural abscesses
Nourkami-Tutdibi, N. (21)06 / MaleFrontal sinusitisFrontal swellingOsteomyelitis of the right frontal bone with subdural abscess formation and perifocal edemaStreptococcus intermediusCefotaxime and clindamycinProcedure not describedGood condition without neurologic sequelae
Zamor, R. (22)15 / MaleEpstein-Barr virus serologies and a monospot positiveFevers, myalgias, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, headache, and left-sided facial swellingLeft frontal, maxillary, and anterior ethmoid sinusitis. Left orbital cellulitis and subperiosteal collections of the left frontal bone - bone osteomyelitisStreptococcus anginosus and Fusobacterium necrophorumCeftriaxone, clindamycin, vancomycin, and FlagylLeft lateral orbitotomy, sinus wash-out, drainage of the subperiosteal abscess, and subgaleal drain placementPatient discharged with follow up of Infectious Disease team
Ling, C. (23)09 / MaleNot MentionedFever, frontal headache, and frontal swellingFrontal bone osteomyelitis with subperiosteal collection and frontal sinusitisNot MentionedNot MentionedSurgical intervention was not preformedComplete recovery
Sheth, S.P. (24)15 / MalePatient had inserted rugby turf up his nares to stop epistaxisPhotophobia, altered mental status, and right upper extremity weakness. Headache, fever, and emesis. Periorbital erythema and forehead swellingFrontal sinus subdural empyema, midline shift and mass effect on the cerebral cortex. Presence of left ethmoid foreign body and maxillary sinus opacificationFusobacterium necrophorumVancomycin, ceftriaxone, and piperacillin-tazobactam /metronidazole and meropenemLeft fronto-temporal-parietal craniotomy for subdural empyema drainage. Endoscopic ethmoidectomy with drainage from the left ethmoid, left maxillary sinus, and left naresSlight difficulty with speech and right-hand coordination difficulty
Sheth, S.P. (24)17 / MaleRecent sepsis associated with emesis and diarrheaFever, left eye swelling, emesis, and diarrhea. Left-sided forehead massLeft frontal sinusitis, soft tissue edema and early abscess. Subdural empyema in the anteromedial left frontal interhemispheric regionFusobacterium nucleatumVancomycin and metronidazoleCraniotomy for evacuation of subdural empyema and drainage of the left subperiosteal abscess. Left nasal endoscopy with frontal recess exploration drainageComplete resolution of symptoms on follow-up
Sheth, S.P. (24)14 / MaleFrontal sinus tenderness.Eyelid swelling with associated visual changesLeft frontal extra-axial empyema containing air, and involvement of the sagittal, frontal, and paranasal sinusesFusobacterium necrophorumVancomycin, Ceftriaxone and metronidazoleBifrontal craniotomy for intracranial abscess. Drainage of right frontal intraparenchymal abscess and sagittal epidural abscessComplete resolution of symptoms on follow-up
Cannon, L. (25)05 / MaleRecent sinus infectionFever, unsteady gait, headache, photophobia, progressive forehead swelling and vomitingSubgaleal abscess with communication to the frontal sinuses as well as osteomyelitis of the frontal boneStreptococcus anginosusNot MentionedDrainage of the abscess with evacuation of purulent fluidPatient improved following surgery
Pérez-Yepes, C.A. (26)13 / MaleNothing noteworthyHeadache, fever, and vomiting. Left fronto-orbital oedemaFrontal epidural empyema, left pansinusitis and frontal soft tissue involvementGroup C β-Hemolytic StreptococcalCefotaxime, vancomycin and metronidazoleCraniotomy for drainage of epidural and subgaleal collection. Endoscopic surgery of the nose and paranasal sinuses - pansinusitisNot Mentioned
Nastovska, R. (27)15 / MaleFrontal sinusitisLeft forehead swelling and tendernessScalp abscess, frontal bone osteomyelitis and underlying resolving sinusitisStreptococcus anginosusBenzylpenicillinAbscess drainage and bilateral endoscopic sinus surgeryNot Mentioned

Review of case reports about Pott’s Puffy tumor in patients up to 18 years old.

The most commonly cause of PET reported in the literature is acute or chronic sinusitis, which, when treated inappropriately, can culminate in a bone erosion caused by direct contact of the infected material with the walls of the skull cap (28). In addition to this more obvious route of dissemination, there is still the possibility of hematogenous infection through the diploic veins, which, due to the absence of valves, allow a retrograde septic thrombophlebitis more easily, which would explain parenchymal intracranial lesions and subdural collections without epidural involvement (29). Although less frequent, another important cause of PET is craniofacial trauma with a history of fracture. In adults, cocaine or methamphetamine abuse is also reported (2). In our review of case reports, we found that patients had recent or recurrent sinusitis or upper airway infection as the most frequent antecedent (reported in 6 cases), while we found a report of trauma in only one patient.

In addition to the characteristic association with traumatic brain injury and medical history of sinusitis, the presence of more prevalent infectious agents is also well-described for PET. Bacteria’s of rhinogenic pathologies, such as community-acquired sinusitis, are the most common, being Streptococcus and Staphylococcus the most recurrent agents, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, and anaerobic (30), although fungal infections can also be found. This prevalence can be analyzed on Table 1, which, despite the small amount of data collected, presents 11 (73.3%) cases of Streptococcus, among those that reported the causative microbiological agent.

In our review, the most frequently reported symptom is forehead swelling (present in 21 reports), followed by headache (present in 17 reports), fever (present in 13 reports) and symptoms associated with orbital and/or periorbital involvement (present in in 12 reports). As shown in Table 1, it’s notorious that the classic manifestation of this conditions is frontal swelling, usually accompanied by headache and fever. Furthermore, periorbital swelling and pain may suggest cellulitis, being important signs for PET due to possible involvement of the orbital cavity, in addition to purulent or not rhinorrhea (24, 28, 29). Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, changes in the level of consciousness and convulsions may alert to intracranial involvements, such as epidural abscesses, subdural, cerebral, meningitis and thrombosis of the upper sagittal sinus (4). The recommended imaging test to confirm the diagnosis is cranial CT, as it allows a detailed visualization of bone involvement to assess the degree of osteomyelitis. For suspected intracranial lesions, MRI has a greater ability to reveal information, with greater accuracy for soft tissues, it is possible to better quantify the extent of frontal abscesses, for example (2).

In view of the signs and symptoms characteristic of this condition include above all swelling of the frontal region, fever, periorbital swelling, and headache, among the differential diagnoses are those that have mass effect, as well as PET. Thus, the analysis of the presence of soft tissue or skin infection without the presence of osteomyelitis, hematomas and other types of tumor formations should be investigated and ruled out in suspected PET, since they are the main conditions of differential diagnosis (31).

The approach should be based on a combined early intervention of antibiotic therapy and surgical procedure. Initially, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is recommended due to the variety of pathogens related with this condition. After the culture result, more specific coverage should be adopted, with the prescribing time ranging from 6 to 8 weeks after surgery (4). The procedure performed can be done from traditional craniotomies, as well as through endoscopic alternatives (32). However, in cases of important lesions, such as brain abscesses, it is mandatory to choose craniectomies with removal of the affected bone, since a high recurrence rate was observed in cases of bone replacement (28, 29). In most of the case reports reviewed, the treatment involved a surgical approach associated with antibiotic therapy, and the majority of patients evolved with a good outcome after treatment, with a description of recovery without sequelae in 14 reports (Table 1).

Conclusion

Although rare, PET is still present in the pediatric, adolescent and less frequent adult population. The need to rapid recognize and prevent, this sometimes, fatal complication of an apparently benign infection such as bacterial sinusitis, is necessary and mandatory for optimal outcome.

Parents, general clinicians, and pediatricians should be aware of patients presenting recurrent sinusitis, fever, forehead swelling and headache to seek specialist evaluation. Early diagnosis allows for a less invasive approach but in complicated cases, with bone and parenchymal involvement, surgical intervention is crucial to effective treatment, recurrence prevention, and deformity correction. The best management is showed to be a combination of surgical intervention and prolonged intravenous antibiotics.

Suspected by the physician in the context of known risk factors and underlying causes, both clinical and psychosocial, should be searched. In addition, it is a condition that should be readily recognized by the risk of suspected psychosocial clinical complications. An integrated approach is crucial for efficient care.

Statements

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author/s.

Ethics statement

Ethical review and approval was not required for the study on human participants in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants’ legal guardian/next of kin.

Written informed consent was obtained from the individual(s), and minor(s)’ legal guardian/next of kin, for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in this article.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: AS, HA, Methodology: AS, LJ, Research: AS, GF, JN, Supervision: HA, MV, Project management: AS, CL, RM, Acquisition of funding: AS, Resources: AS, CL, JN, Data curation: AS, RM, MV, DS, JN, Software: AS, RM, CL, DS, Visualization: CL, GF, MS, DS, JN, Writing: AS, CL, RM, MS, JN, Review and Editing: LJ, AS. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Funding

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial support.

Acknowledgments

To the Professors of Hospital da Restauração who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research and actively stimulated the search for answers.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Summary

Keywords

Pott’s Puffy tumor, Pott’s edematous tumor, osteomyelitis, sinusistis, forehead swelling

Citation

Silva ACV, Lins CM, Mendes RFdA, Silva MHS, de Alencar Neto JF, Lopes C, Ferraz GLdS, de Sousa D, Bem Junior LS, Valença MM and Azevedo-Filho HRCd (2022) Case Report: Pott's Edematous Tumor: Complicated Frontal Sinusitis - An Unremembered Diagnosis. Front. Surg. 9:889463. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.889463

Received

04 March 2022

Accepted

30 May 2022

Published

27 June 2022

Volume

9 - 2022

Edited by

Lynne Lourdes Navarrete Lucena, Bicol University, Philippines

Reviewed by

Aleksandar Peric, Military Medical Academy, Serbia Yener Aydin, Atatürk University, Turkey Gönül Tanır, Dr Sami Ulus Child Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Turkey

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Ana Cristina Veiga Silva

Specialty section: This article was submitted to Neurosurgery, a section of the journal Frontiers in Surgery

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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