Incidence of Odontogenic Disease in Patients With Pott's Puffy Tumor

Pott's puffy tumor: A comprehensive review of the literature

PURPOSE

Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a rare clinical entity characterized by osteomyelitis of the frontal bone with subperiosteal abscess collection. The frequency of reported cases of PPT in the literature has increased in recent years. Previous reviews of PPT exist primarily in the form of small, retrospective case series and anecdotal case reports. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide the literature's largest comprehensive, up-to-date review of the essential clinical findings, diagnostic modalities, microbiologic considerations, and treatment approaches utilized in the management of PPT, both in pediatric and adult populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase databases for English-language studies published from January 1950 through January 30, 2022. The authors reviewed all cases of PPT, focusing specifically on those describing therapeutic management of PPT. A total of 321 patients were included, consisting of 318 patients (from 216 articles) and an additional 3 adult cases from our institution.

RESULTS

PPT most often results from untreated rhinosinusitis, as well as direct head trauma, substance use, and odontogenic disease. Infections are classically polymicrobial with an anaerobe-predominant microbiome. Both CT and MRI imaging modalities are commonly obtained for presurgical assessment of sinusitis and intracranial extension. The core of treatment is an early and aggressive approach to prevent long-term complications. A significant association exists between surgical management and clinical outcomes for patients with PPT. Recent literature suggests endoscopic sinus surgery is essential for successful disease resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

PPT is an important and relatively morbid disease process that is often underrecognized and misdiagnosed at presentation due to its variable clinical presentation. Management of PPT includes both antimicrobial therapy and surgical intervention. Determination of the optimal approach depends on patient clinical features including age, history of prior endoscopic sinus surgery, and presence of intracranial involvement on presentation. An individualized, targeted, and interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of PPT is critical for successful disease resolution.

Odontogenic sinusitis: A state‐of‐the‐art review

Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) is more common than historically reported, and is underrepresented in the sinusitis literature. ODS is distinct from rhinosinusitis in that it is infectious sinusitis from an infectious dental source or a complication from dental procedures, and most commonly presents unilaterally. ODS clinical features, microbiology, and diagnostic and treatment paradigms are also distinct from rhinosinusitis. ODS evaluation and management should generally be conducted by both otolaryngologists and dental providers, and clinicians must be able to suspect and confirm the condition. ODS suspicion is driven by certain clinical features like unilateral maxillary sinus opacification on computed tomography, overt maxillary dental pathology on computed tomography, unilateral middle meatal purulence on nasal endoscopy, foul smell, and odontogenic bacteria in sinus cultures. Otolaryngologists should confirm the sinusitis through nasal endoscopy by assessing for middle meatal purulence, edema, or polyps. Dental providers should confirm dental pathology through appropriate examinations and imaging. Once ODS is confirmed, a multidisciplinary shared decision‐making process should ensue to discuss risks and benefits of the timing and different types of dental and sinus surgical interventions. Oral antibiotics are generally ineffective at resolving ODS, especially when there is treatable dental pathology. When both the dental pathology and sinusitis are addressed, resolution can be expected in 90%–100% of cases. For treatable dental pathology, while primary dental treatment may resolve the sinusitis, a significant percentage of patients still require endoscopic sinus surgery. For patients with significant sinusitis symptom burdens, primary endoscopic sinus surgery is an option to resolve symptoms faster, followed by appropriate dental management. More well‐designed studies are necessary across all areas of ODS.

Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) is one of the most common cause of unilateral maxillary sinus disease, but has been underrepresented in previous sinusitis literature.

Clinicians must be able to suspect ODS based on certain clinical features like unilateral middle meatal purulence on nasal endoscopy, subjective foul smell, and sinus computed tomography demonstrating maxillary sinus opacification with or without overt adjacent dental pathology.

Diagnosing ODS requires confirmation of infectious sinusitis by otolaryngologists ideally with nasal endoscopy, and confirmation of adjacent maxillary dental pathology by dental specialists.

Management centers on multidisciplinary collaboration and shared‐decision making between otolaryngologists, dental specialists, and patients.

Extrasinus Complications From Odontogenic Sinusitis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) can cause infectious orbital, intracranial, and osseous complications. Diagnosis and management of complicated ODS have not been discussed in recent sinusitis guidelines. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe epidemiological and clinical features, as well as management strategies of complicated ODS.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review was performed to describe various features of complicated ODS. All complicated ODS studies were included in qualitative analysis, but studies were only included in quantitative analysis if they reported specific patient-level data.

RESULTS

Of 1126 studies identified, 75 studies with 110 complicated ODS cases were included in qualitative analysis, and 47 studies with 62 orbital and intracranial complications were included in quantitative analyses. About 70% of complicated ODS cases were orbital complications. Only 23% of complicated ODS studies were published in otolaryngology journals. Regarding ODS-related orbital and intracranial complications, about 80% occurred in adults, and 75% were male. Complicated ODS occurred most commonly from apical periodontitis of maxillary molars. There were no relationships between sinusitis extent and orbital or intracranial complications. High rates of anaerobic and α-hemolytic streptococcal bacteria were identified in complicated ODS. Management generally included systemic antibiotics covering aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and surgical interventions were generally performed to address both the complications (orbital and/or intracranial) and possible infectious sources (dentition and sinuses).

CONCLUSION

ODS should be considered in all patients with infectious extrasinus complications. Multidisciplinary management between otolaryngologists, dental specialists, ophthalmologists, and neurosurgeons should be considered to optimize outcomes.