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Pott puffy tumor: Rare complication of sinusitis in a toddler

Kristin L Norquest1, Kelly M Bridgham, Udayan K Shah

  • 1Kristin L. Norquest practices in the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Nemours Children's Health in Milford, DE. Kelly M. Bridgham practices in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. Udayan K. Shah practices otolaryngology head and neck surgery and pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

JAAPA : Official Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants
|December 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pott puffy tumor (PPT), a rare frontal bone infection, can occur in young children. This case highlights a toddler with PPT and an epidural abscess, necessitating surgical intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Neurosurgery
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Pott puffy tumor (PPT) involves frontal bone osteomyelitis and subperiosteal abscess, often stemming from sinusitis.
  • PPT is uncommon in young children due to incomplete frontal sinus pneumatization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Pott puffy tumor (PPT) in a healthy toddler.
  • To describe the management of a co-occurring epidural abscess.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Review of clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management.

Main Results:

  • A healthy toddler presented with symptoms consistent with PPT.
  • The condition was complicated by an epidural abscess, requiring surgical drainage.

Conclusions:

  • Pott puffy tumor (PPT) can occur in young children, even without predisposing factors.
  • Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing PPT with intracranial complications like epidural abscess.

Keywords:
Pott puffy tumoredemaosteomyelitispediatricpneumatizationsinusitis

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