Spontaneous cranial osteomyelitis in an otherwise healthy ten-year-old male.

Frontal bone osteomyelitis is a relatively rare entity, particularly in the otherwise healthy pediatric population. Most cases trace their origins to either previous frontal sinusitis or trauma. In children, three origins for cranial osteomyelitis appear to dominate: Pott's puffy tumor, skull base osteomyelitis secondary to ear infection, or post-surgical complications. However, on extremely rare occasions, risk factors or etiology may not be ascertained. We present a case of spontaneous frontal bone osteomyelitis in a ten-year-old African-American male with no previous history of cranial surgeries, frontal sinusitis, or major trauma. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.