Dear Editor,

Whereas it is observed that Pott’s puffy tumour is relatively uncommon nowadays compared to the pre-antibiotic era, recent reports in global literature such as that of Tsai et al., constantly serve as reminders to the medical community of the threat posed to the well-being of the paediatric population by the condition, especially if not recognised early [1]. Partial antibiotic treatment for chronic sinusitis, postulated by the authors to be responsible for this resurgence, indicates a need for adults to be more concerned of the care of children and ensures compliance with antibiotic use when indicated.

The literature is replete with reports of this condition in children in whom the frontal sinus is well formed and properly pneumatized reflecting the central role of frontal sinusitis in its pathogenesis. As pointed out by Tsai et al., pneumatisation of the frontal sinus occurs around the age of 6 years and continues into adolescence. Many paediatric reports are therefore in children of 6 years and above [2, 3].

A recent report, however, documented its occurrence in the neonatal period [4]. The case was reported at post-menstrual age (PMA) of 32 weeks in a neonate delivered prematurely at PMA of 25 weeks. The authors postulated that haematogenous seeding of infective emboli and retrograde thrombophlebitis might have caused a spread of infection from, for example, orbital cellulitis. Another rare case was reported following an insect bite on the face [5]. These reports reflect the heterogeneity of the aetiology of the condition.

Operative intervention is often indicated in cases of Pott’s puffy tumour. As observed in the series of Tsai et al., the condition may be complicated at presentation by intracranial suppuration. Failure of early recognition of this condition sometimes leads to ineffective treatments. The swelling may subside with the use of antibiotics only for it to recur [5]. This may be due to smouldering infection from bone involvement.