Pott's puffy tumor: a complication of intranasal cocaine abuse

Rev Infect Dis. 1991 Jul-Aug;13(4):606-8. doi: 10.1093/clinids/13.4.606.

Abstract

The increasing intranasal abuse of cocaine has been associated with numerous medical problems. Among the most common complications are chronic sinusitis and septal perforation, although myocardial infarction and death also have been reported. We describe the development of Pott's puffy tumor in a patient who chronically abused cocaine. Pott's puffy tumor, a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone associated with frontal osteomyelitis, is a rare complication of frontal sinusitis. This case report underscores the dangers of cocaine abuse and describes yet another potentially serious sequela.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / chemically induced*
  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Adult
  • Cocaine* / administration & dosage
  • Frontal Sinusitis / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Cocaine