Refractory SAPHO Syndrome Involving the Mandible

Orofacial manifestations of SAPHO syndrome: a systematic review of case reports

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome is a poorly known disease with cutaneous and osteo-articular manifestations requiring a multidisciplinary care. The aim of this study was to review the case reports that have described oral manifestations in patients suffering for this syndrome. A systematic review of case reports was performed on PubMed and Science Direct on January 2020 among all the articles dealing with the disease. In vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies have not been included to select only the case reports. Eighteen articles, published between 1999 and 2019, were included. All the patients presented mandibular osteomyelitis or sclerosis, associated with various other symptoms such as trismus, temporomandibular joint arthritis, or dysphagia. The data highlight the high variability in the disease's manifestations between people and also in the treatments applied. Knowing the orofacial signs of the SAPHO syndrome, the dental surgeon has a crucial role in the diagnosis procedure and must take place in the multidisciplinary medical team involved in the patient following. Some care adaptations are needed for oral interventions in these patients, depending on their treatments and their handicap. Key Points • Orofacial manifestations of SAPHO syndrome mainly occur on the mandible. • In cases of mandible sclerosis, decorticalization surgeries may be performed. • Oral care are encouraged, especially the preventive treatments to limit the necessity of surgeries. • The complexity in the management of patients suffering for a SAPHO syndrome concerns the oral manifestations, the patient general health and the treatments he has to take every day.

The effectiveness of treatments for patients with SAPHO syndrome: a follow-up study of 24 cases from a single center and review of literature

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments for SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) by delineating the therapeutic choices and the outcome of patients in a medical center of China and review of the literature.

METHOD

An observational study was performed on patients diagnosed as SAPHO syndrome in the Peking University First Hospital from 2009 to 2015. Clinical data including osteoarticular and cutaneous manifestations, laboratory and medical imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. A literature detailing the usage of medicines and SAPHO syndrome patient responses to treatment were selected.

RESULTS

Clinical data of 24 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 42.4 ± 15.5 years old at the time of diagnosis. Of a total of 17 patients that received the combination treatments of NSAIDs and DMARDs, 15 of them experienced an improvement in their symptoms. Bisphosphonates were given to 18 patients. Four patients were treated with TNF blockers, and one of them had adalimumab ineffective and then improved by add-on of DMARDs. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 years. Twenty-one patients (87.5%) had a favorable outcome and exhibited improved disease condition in the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with SAPHO syndrome respond well to combination therapy of NSAIDs, DMARDs, and bisphosphonates. TNF blockers are effective in a patient refractory to NSAID and DMARDs. However, in case TNF blockers are ineffective, add-on of DMARDs may be effective. Thus, the proper application of conventional DMARDs is still worth a position in the treatment of SAPHO syndrome. Key Points •NSAIDs and DMARDs and/or bisphosphonates can alleviate symptoms of the majority of patients with SAPHO syndrome. •TNF blockers are effective in patients who do not respond well to NSIADs and DMARDs. •In case TNF blockers are ineffective, add-on of conventional DMARDs may be effective.

Axial skeletal lesions and disease duration in SAPHO syndrome: A retrospective review of computed tomography findings in 81 patients

AIMS

To explore the relevance of disease duration with axial skeletal lesions in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome based on computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

Patients who had undergone whole-spine CT were included from a previously reported single-center cohort of SAPHO syndrome. Patients with previous treatments of bisphosphates, biological agents or surgeries were excluded. Sites of axial skeletal involvement were reviewed including the spine, sacroiliac joints, and anterior chest wall. Duration of osteoarticular involvement was defined as the interval between the onset of osteoarticular symptoms and the CT evaluation.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients (54 female and 27 male) were included in the study. The mean disease duration was 26.9 ± 34.9 months. Fifty (63.0%) patients showed spinal lesions on CT. The average numbers of involved vertebral segments for corner and endplate lesions were 3.16 ± 3.51 and 0.73 ± 1.85 respectively. Sixty-eight (84.0%) patients exhibited abnormalities in the anterior chest wall. The number of involved vertebral segments showed poor correlation with disease duration for both corner lesions (r²  = 0.051, P = 0.043) and endplate lesions (r²  = 0.137, P = 0.001). Patients with costoclavicular involvement showed remarkably longer disease duration than those without (49.3 ± 47.7 months vs 18.0 ± 23.5 months, P = 0.006), while no significant difference was detected regarding other structures in the anterior chest wall.

CONCLUSION

Costoclavicular involvement is a hallmark of long disease duration in SAPHO syndrome. Corner and endplate lesions in the vertebrae and sacroiliac involvement may not relate to disease course.

Imaging for Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis (SAPHO) Syndrome

Multifocal osteomyelitis and synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome constitute a spectrum of disease that includes inflammatory bone lesions and dermatologic findings. Radiographic features resemble those of the spondyloarthropathies with anterior chest wall involvement. Early radiographic findings are osteodestructive with lytic lesions. Bone scintigraphy of the sternoclavicular region classically yields a 'bull's head' pattern of radionuclide uptake. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate corner lesions of vertebral bodies. Ultrasound often reveals peripheral enthesitis. Late radiographic features are usually osteoproliferative. PET/CT can identify chronic lesions. Differential diagnostic considerations include osteomyelitis and malignancy, which often prompt bone biopsy.

Gingival pustules and sterile diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis as a feature of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome represents the rare co-occurrence of sterile inflammatory osteoarticular disease in association with a variety of cutaneous manifestations. Oral involvement is uncommon. The etiology of SAPHO is complex and is likely the combined result of infectious, genetic, and immunologic factors. Due to diverse clinical presentations, SAPHO is difficult to diagnose. Here, we describe the case of a 74-year-old man, who had a history of SAPHO syndrome and presented with gingival pustules and sterile diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible. This is the first case report describing neutrophilic mucositis as a feature of SAPHO.