An Abscess on the Forehead

A 10-year-old girl presented with a one-week history of a lump on her forehead. I it was initially thought to be an infected sebaceous cyst (Figure 1). Review of symptoms revealed a three-month history of nasal discharge and frontal headaches but was otherwise negative. She had been diagnosed previously with sinusitis and treated with a two-week course of amoxicillin.

Question

Based on the patient's history and physical examination, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Carbuncle.

B. Infected sebaceous cyst.

C. Hematoma.

D. Pott's puffy tumor.

E. Inflammatory cutaneous tuberculosis.

Discussion

The answer is D: Pott's puffy tumor. I in children, bacterial sinusitis may complicate an upper respiratory tract infection. in most cases, this resolves without further problems. Frontal osteomyelitis secondary to frontal sinusitis (Pott's puffy tumor) is rare in the antibiotic era,1,2 but it can result...