Frontal sinusitis can be complicated by osteomyelitis of the frontal bone, which is known as Pott's puffy tumor (named for Percival Pott, 1714-1788).
Clinical features:
(1) episode of frontal sinusitis, typically prolonged or recurrent
(2) fever
(3) headache
(4) swelling and erythema of the forehead
(5) tenderness to palpation over the swelling
Changes seen on radiographs:
(1) frontal sinusitis
(2) osteomyelitis of the frontal bone
(3) subperiosteal abscess (cause for swelling of the forehead)
Long-standing, untreated cases may develop a sinus tract to the skin that drains pus.
Some patients also develop intracranial abscesses (epidural, subdural, cerebral) which can be life-threatening.
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Otolaryngology, Immunology/Rheumatology
