Radiologic Imaging of Pott Puffy Tumor and Other Frontal Sinusitis Complications

In the March 14, 1986 issue of JAMA an article entitled "Radiologic Evaluation of Pott Puffy Tumor" by Wells et al¹ should be of special interest to pediatricians and other primary care physicians. Pott puffy tumor classically represents a midforehead soft-tissue swelling from the extension of osteomyelitis subperiosteally and into the scalp from acute suppurative frontal sinusitis.^2-4 In the past decade, Pott puffy tumor and other serious complications of frontal sinusitis have gained attention in a variety of medical publications seemingly whenever one or a few additional cases are diagnosed. This is justified mainly because early recognition of potentially life-threatening complications can be accomplished now using more sophisticated radiologic imaging techniques. But also the implications of the unique microbiology need emphasis for prompt application of appropriate therapy. The descriptive eponym—Pott puffy tumor—is appropriately used as a major clinical marker that heralds probable more serious intracranial involvement. Wells