title: Scalp abscess--a cautionary tale.
abstract: Transcranial extension of frontal sinus infection is a rare, but not eradicated entity. We present a 21-year-old male, in whom a persistent scalp abscess heralded the discovery of skull vault osteomyelitis and extradural abscesses secondary to frontal sinusitis. Patients with prolonged or unusual symptoms with a history of sinusitis or trauma warrant further investigation as they may have developed serious intracranial complications. Urgent management, both surgical and antimicrobial, is indicated in such scenarios.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. noranugent@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nora F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005624:Frontal Bone; D015522:Frontal Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012535:Scalp / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents