Head and Neck Imaging

Pott's puffy tumor

swelling of the scalp, caused by an underlying osteitis of the skull or extradural abscess. A classical cause of such a swelling is complicated frontal sinusitis. The soft tissue infiltration may also be caused by extension of the frontal sinusitis via thrombophlebitis of diploic veins.
Imaging shows bone rarefaction and fragmentation, with surrounding soft tissue thickening and possibly abscess formation (Fig. 1). In the chronic phase, bone sclerosis and formation of sequesters may be seen.

RH

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Fig. 01a

Patient with frontal headache and glabellar soft tissue swelling.
Pott's puffy tumor, Fig. 01a (a)
Pott's puffy tumor, Fig. 01b (b)