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.
ENT Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY, UK. lmm398@doctors.org.uk
Liam
L
Masterson
Paul
P
Leong
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*