Pott's puffy tumor in children: A review of the literature

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2020-01, Vol.130 (1), p.225-231
• Main Authors: Koltsidopoulos, Petros, Papageorgiou, Eleni, Skoulakis, Charalampos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescents; children; Endoscopy; frontal bone; frontal subperiosteal abscess; osteomyelitis; Pediatrics; Pott's puffy tumor
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.27757

Objectives Pott's puffy tumor (PTT) is a frontal subperiosteal abscess associated with underlying frontal osteomyelitis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the rate of intracranial involvement in pediatric and adolescent patients with PPT and to discuss the diagnostic workup and the therapeutic features of this pathology. Methods We searched Web of Science, PubMed and MEDLINE from 1998 to 2018. The search focused on papers concerning the diagnostic procedure and therapeutic management of PTT. Statistical techniques were not used. Results We included 53 articles that described 92 pediatric and adolescent patients with PPT. The overall rate of intracranial complications was found to be 72%. Most authors used computed tomography for the diagnosis of PTT and its complications, either alone or in combination with magnetic resonance imaging. In 50% of cases, an endoscopic endonasal approach is used for the management of the underlying acute or chronic sinusitis. Conclusions On the basis of the available literature, it seems that the incidence rate of intracranial involvement in patients with PPT is quite high. Early diagnosis using the appropriate imaging raise the possibility of good recovery. Concerning the therapy of PTT, endoscopic sinus surgery could be considered as a valuable technique. The vast majority of patients treated appropriately recover without long‐term neurologic complications and sequelae. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:225–231, 2020