Pott's puffy tumor by Actinomyces after minor head trauma

Juan Casado Pellejero1, Asís Lorente Muñoz1, Nnamdi Elenwoke1

  • 1Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, España.

Insights

Pott's puffy tumor (PPT), a rare scalp swelling with bone infection, can occur after head injury. This case details an unusual PPT with Actinomyces brain infection following trauma.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a rare complication of frontal sinusitis, characterized by scalp swelling, subperiosteal abscess, and cranial osteomyelitis.
  • Cranial osteomyelitis caused by Actinomyces is exceptionally rare, with most cases occurring in the mandible.
  • Traumatic brain injury can predispose individuals to cranial infections.