Author: Suzanne Chilton, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• Pott's puffy tumor is a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone that arises from hematologic spread or direct infection via the frontal sinuses. The primary symptom is facial swelling.
• It is much more common in children and adolescents.
• Treatment involves removal of the frontal bone, reconstructive surgery, and 6-8 weeks of IV antibiotics.

References: Grewal HS, Dangaych NS, Esposito A. A tumor that is not a tumor but it sure can kill! The American Journal of Case Reports. 2012;13:133-136. doi:10.12659/AJCR.883236.