Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
08:46
A Protocol for Rapid Post-mortem Cell Culture of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Published on: March 7, 2017
Pott's puffy tumor in children.
Bih-Yu Tsai1, Kuang-Lin Lin, Tzou-Yien Lin
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Summary
Pott's puffy tumor, a rare subperiosteal abscess, often presents with subtle symptoms but carries a high risk of intracranial complications. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial for better outcomes in pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a rare subperiosteal abscess linked to frontal bone osteomyelitis.
- While historically uncommon in the antibiotic era, reports of PPT have increased in the last decade.
Observation:
- A retrospective chart review analyzed six pediatric patients diagnosed with PPT over 20 years.
- Common risk factors included sinusitis, head trauma, and acupuncture; presenting symptoms were fever, headache, and forehead tenderness.
Findings:
- Half of the patients had intracranial involvement at diagnosis, frequently subdural empyema and frontal lobe infections.
- Most infections were polymicrobial. The mortality rate was 17%.
Implications:
- PPT symptoms can be misleading, masking early intracranial spread.
- Prompt diagnosis, aggressive surgical intervention, and prolonged antibiotic therapy are vital for improved patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Pyloric Obstruction
Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...