[Pott's Puffy Tumor: a need for interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment. German Version]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a rare clinical entity characterized by frontal sinus infection with subperiosteal and intracranial abscess formation.
• PPT is particularly uncommon in pediatric populations, often presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case series of Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) in pediatric and young adult patients.
• To highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in managing this rare condition.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of four cases of PPT in patients aged 6 to 19 years.
• Treatment involved a multidisciplinary team including pediatric, neurosurgical, ENT, radiological, and neuroradiological specialists.
• Therapeutic strategies included antibiotic treatment, endoscopic sinus surgery, and open transcranial approaches for abscess drainage.

Main Results:

• All four patients were successfully treated through a combined approach of antibiotics and surgical intervention.
• Three patients required open transcranial surgery in addition to endoscopic procedures for intracranial abscess drainage.
• The study underscores the occurrence of intracranial abscesses in pediatric PPT cases.

Conclusions:

• Pott's puffy tumor, even in pediatric patients, can present with intracranial abscess formation.
• Effective management necessitates a coordinated interdisciplinary approach involving multiple surgical and medical specialties.
• Early recognition and prompt, collaborative treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in PPT.