Pott's puffy tumour: a forgotten complication of frontal sinus disease.
BACKGROUND
Osteomyelitis of the frontal bone, otherwise known as Pott's puffy tumour, is a rare complication of frontal sinusitis. The aim of this paper is to illustrate this condition as a separate entity to other causes of supraorbital swelling and describe the various types of management.


METHODS
We present the case of a 56-year-old man who was seen in the emergency department with a painful forehead swelling. The maxillofacial surgical team on call arranged for incision and drainage of what was thought to be a sebaceous cyst. Despite oral antibiotic treatment, a continuing discharge was evident after a period of 3/52. An eventual diagnosis was made of frontocutaneous fistula secondary to Pott's puffy tumour.


CONCLUSIONS
Frontal sinus disease may result in potentially dangerous complications. Although Pott's puffy tumour is a rare complication in this post-antibiotic era, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will improve clinical outcome and reduce the possibility of intracerebral complications.
Masterson
Liam
L
ENT Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY, UK. lmm398@doctors.org.uk
Leong
Paul
P
D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000473:pathology*; D015522:Frontal Sinusitis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology*