Anatomy

Pott's Puffy Tumour: A Rare Cause of Forehead Swelling in a Child

“…In adults, a probable diagnosis is osteomyelitis of the frontal bone secondary to sinusitis. The frontal sinuses expand between the inner and outer tables of compact frontal bone with Pneumatisation visible on CT from the age of 6 years 1 . They are in direct contact with the middle layer of trabecular bone sharing its venous drainage by valveless veins.…”

“…The most significant major complication of sinusitis in children is orbital cellulitis. Frontal sinus infection is uncommon due to the late development of the frontal sinuses, 1 but when present it can lead to osteomyelitis 2–4 . Anterior spread of osteomyelitis leads to a collection of pus beneath the periosteum and to a localised swelling of the overlying scalp – Pott's puffy tumour.…”