Pott's puffy tumor: An unusual complication of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis

Objective

To describe clinicoradiological features and surgical outcomes in a series of nine patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) who presented with Pott's puffy tumor (ROCM-PPT)

Methods

The records of nine patients with ROCM-PPT seen between March 2020 and December 2021 were analysed. Clinical features, radiology, histopathology, operative findings, management and outcome were noted. Frontal sinus pneumatisation and outflow tract configuration was compared between patients and controls with ROCM and no PPT.

Results

ROCM-PPT was diagnosed in 9 of 284 (3.2 %) patients with ROCM seen during the study period. There were six (66.7 %) males and the median age was 54 (IQR 46–60) years. Eight (88.9 %) patients had diabetes mellitus and seven (77.8 %) had been COVID-19 positive. Radiological features of osteomyelitis, subperiosteal abscess formation and dural enhancement were seen in all patients. No significant differences in pneumatisation or frontal sinus outflow tract configuration were noted between patients and controls. All patients underwent a craniectomy with frontal bone debridement and frontal sinus exteriorisation. All patients were treated with anti-fungal agents for several months. All patients had symptomatic improvement at a median follow-up of 21 (IQR 18–23) months. Repeat CT/MRI scans showed disease regression/resolution in six out of eight (75 %) patients with follow-up imaging, and stable disease in two others.

Conclusions

ROCM-PPT is a rare, delayed complication of mucormycosis that was seen in larger numbers during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Aggressive debridement of osteomyelitic bone and antifungal therapy results in a good outcome.