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Case Reports: Reminder of important clinical lesson
Unusual Presentation of Pott’s puffy tumour in a child: our recent experience and review of the literature
  1. Alice Elizabeth McGee,
  2. Fergus Cooper,
  3. Sangeeta Kapur Maini and
  4. Vamsidhar Vallamkondu
  1. Department of Otolaryngology, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Alice Elizabeth McGee; alice.mcgee{at}nhs.scot

Abstract

Pott’s puffy tumour (PPT) is a rarely seen, but highly important, complication of frontal sinusitis. Early recognition followed by prompt imaging and treatment of this condition are essential to improve patient outcomes and prevent complications. This case report describes an atypical presentation of radiologically confirmed PPT in a boy who presented with a 2.5-week history of progressive frontal headache and midline frontal swelling. Flexible nasendoscopy revealed no acute findings. Prompt CT imaging confirmed the diagnosis and early surgical intervention via endoscopic approach with aggressive antibiotic therapy led to good recovery. This case highlights the need to remember PPT in assessing any child or adolescent with a new forehead swelling, with or without sinusitis symptoms. If there is strong clinical suspicion, further imaging should not be delayed. Surgical intervention should be performed as early as possible to prevent intracranial complications; antibiotics alone are not sufficient.

  • otolaryngology
  • ear, nose and throat
  • infectious diseases
  • paediatrics

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-247325

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors AEM and FC came up with the idea to write this case report and sought involvement from SKM and VV, who agreed. AEM sought consent from the patient’s mother. AEM and FC worked on the manuscript of the case report. SKM and VV reviewed the paper and providing feedback before final submission.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.