[SAPHO syndrome: clinico-rheumatologic and radiologic differentiation and classification of a patient sample of 86 cases]

SAPHO syndrome: current clinical, diagnostic and treatment approaches

This review provides an overview of SAPHO (Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis), a rare autoinflammatory disease that primarily affects bones, skin, and joints. We conducted a search on Medline/PubMed using keywords such as SAPHO syndrome, chronic recurrent multifocal osteitis/osteomyelitis, and related terms. SAPHO syndrome is rare, with a reported frequency of 1 in 10,000 in the Caucasian population. However, the actual incidence of SAPHO syndrome is unknown, and the incidence of the disease is likely higher. The pathogenesis of SAPHO syndrome remains incompletely understood. Current evidence suggests that SAPHO results from a complex interplay between immune dysregulation, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors. It's not clear if SAPHO syndrome is an autoimmune disease or an autoinflammatory disease, but current evidence suggests that it's more likely an autoinflammatory disease because of things like neutrophil hyperactivity, fewer natural killer (NK) cells, high levels of interleukin (IL)-1, and a good response to treatments that block IL-1. Osteo-articular (OA) involvement is a key clinical feature of SAPHO. It affects the anterior chest wall, axial skeleton, peripheral joints, mandible, long bones of the extremities, and pelvis. Dermatological involvement is a common target in SAPHO, with lesions observed in 60-90% of cases. Common skin lesions include psoriasis and acne, with hidradenitis suppurativa and neutrophilic dermatoses being less commonly seen. Other clinical findings include constitutional symptoms caused by systemic inflammation, such as fever, weight loss, and fatigue. There is no specific laboratory finding for SAPHO syndrome. However, during active disease, there may be an increase in positive acute phase markers, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), complement levels, mild leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Diagnosis is crucial for SAPHO syndrome, which lacks a specific diagnostic finding and is often underrecognized. A comprehensive evaluation of a patient's medical history and physical examination is crucial. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, conventional and synthetic disease-modifying agents (cDMARDs and sDMARDs), biological therapies, bisphosphonates, and antibiotics. Biological treatments have emerged as a viable alternative for SAPHO patients who do not respond to conventional treatments.

A statistical symptomatic evaluation on SAPHO syndrome from 56 cases of confirmed diagnosis and 352 cases of non-SAPHO involvement

OBJECTIVE

To report a statistical evaluation of symptomatology based on 56 cases of SAPHO syndrome and 352 non-SAPHO involvement cases, to propose a symptomatic scoring system in consideration of early warning for SAPHO syndrome.

METHODS

A cohort comprising 56 subjects diagnosed with SAPHO syndrome was reported, as well as 352 non-SAPHO involvement cases, including their chief complaints, skin manifestations, radiological findings, and laboratory tests. We systematically reviewed previous published five representative huge cohorts from different countries to conclude several specific features of SAPHO by comparing with our case series. The score of each specific index is based on respective incidence and comparison of two cohorts was performed.

RESULT

In terms of complaint rates, all subjects of two cohorts suffered from osseous pain, which appeared in the anterior chest wall, spine, and limb which were calculated. In respect to dermatological lesions, SAPHO patients suffered from severe acne, and other patients (82.14%) accompanied with palmoplantar pustulosis. Having received radiological examinations, most SAPHO subjects rather than non-SAPHO involvement cases showed abnormal osteoarticular lesions under CT scanning and more detailed information under whole-body bone scintigraphy. Differences also emerged in elevation of inflammation values and rheumatic markers like HLA-B27. Based on our cases and huge cohorts documented, the early warning standard is set to be 5 scores.

CONCLUSIONS

SAPHO syndrome case series with 56 subjects were reported and an accumulative scoring system for the early reminder on SAPHO syndrome was proposed. The threshold of this system is set to be 5 points. Key Points • Fifty-six patients diagnosed by SAPHO syndrome with detailed symptoms and radiological findings were reported. • Comparison was made between the 56 SAPHO patients and 352 non-SAPHO involvement cases. • An accumulative scoring system for the early reminder on SAPHO syndrome was proposed and the threshold of this system is set to be five points.

A Case Report on the Atypical Symptoms of the Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis (SAPHO) Syndrome: Could COVID-19 Be a Cause?

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome, a rare disorder with a spectrum of manifestations and overlapping osseous and cutaneous symptoms, shares pathogenesis with various autoimmune diseases. SARS-CoV-2 has been previously linked to various autoimmune diseases like Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a multi-inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), or rheumatoid arthritis, but there is no existing work showing a link between SAPHO syndrome and COVID-19 yet. Here, we present a case of a middle-aged Asian male who presented with minimum swelling of his right second toe, 21 days post-COVID. After a series of investigations, namely, MRI scans, 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate three-phase bone scan, and bone biopsy, followed by a positive culture and sensitivity test of the same toe, a trial of vancomycin was given to the patient to treat bacterial osteomyelitis. This resulted in no improvement, pointing toward a misdiagnosis. A conclusion of sterile osteomyelitis of his right second and third metatarsal heads and phalanges due to SAPHO syndrome, as a possible complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection, was made. There are a number of classification systems for diagnosing this syndrome, one of which was modified by Kahn and was used in our case. Atypical presentations of rare disorders like SAPHO syndrome and their relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection are still to be fully discovered and investigated. Their prevention, timely diagnosis, and management may help in alleviating the discomfort and fear associated with the unknown for the patients.

Severe Cervicodynia in a Patient With Pustules on the Palms

A 51-year-old man had severe neck pain and pustules on both hands. What is your diagnosis?

Pro and contra: is synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) a spondyloarthritis variant?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to present the up-to-date evidence on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, musculoskeletal manifestations, and imaging of the synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome and to discuss its relationship with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

RECENT FINDINGS

SAPHO is a rare inflammatory disorder of bone, joints, and skin, with a worldwide distribution that predominantly affects the middle-age adults. The hallmark of the syndrome is a constellation of sterile inflammatory osteitis, hyperostosis, and synovitis involving the anterior chest wall, associated with acneiform and neutrophilic dermatoses, such as palmoplantar pustulosis and severe acne. The axial skeleton, sacroiliac, and peripheral joints can be involved in a similar fashion to SpA. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is multifactorial. The diagnosis is mainly based on the clinical and typical radiological features. The treatment approach is based on the off-label use of antibiotics, bisphosphonates, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and anticytokine biologics.

SUMMARY

The SAPHO syndrome shares common features with SpA-related diseases, yet also shows some unique pathogenetic and clinical features. The nosology of SAPHO remains a subject of controversy, awaiting further research into the pathogenetic and clinical aspects of this syndrome. A better understanding of these aspects will improve the diagnostics and clinical care of patients with SAPHO.

[SAPHO syndrome : An overview and nosological differentiation of 35 disease cases]

The SAPHO syndrome is not a single entity but an inhomogeneous, nosologically heterogeneous complex of symptoms with unknown etiology and heterogeneous pathogenesis. Clinically subacute, recurrent or chronic disease processes and a common skin-bone association (skibo disease) can be found. Under the acronym SAPHO, chronically recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is the most common disease that can occur in youth as well as adolescence. Spondylarthritis hyperostotica pustulo-psoriatica with the triad palmoplantar pustulosis, sternoclavicular hyperostosis and ossifying spinal manifestations is the most common SAPHO form found in adults. Abortive disease forms are the inflammatory anterior chest wall syndrome, extended sternoclavicular hyperostosis syndrome of the clavicle bone, acne CRMO and acne spondylarthritis. The SAPHO disease usually heals with a relatively favorable prognosis but there are also unfavorable courses with functional limitations. The diagnosis should be made based on clinical examination, imaging (x-ray, scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging) and/or histological bone biopsy analysis. Treatment should be interdisciplinary. Antibiotic treatment is obsolete. This article provides an overview of the SAPHO syndrome and a clinical-rheumatological imaging differentiation as well as classification of 35 cases at first presentation.

Demographic, clinical, and scintigraphic comparison of patients affected by palmoplantar pustulosis and severe acne: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome encompasses heterogeneous dermatological manifestations, mainly palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and severe acne (SA). This study aims to explore the necessity of stratified management according to skin lesions.

METHODS

In a cohort of SAPHO patients, we compared the demographic, clinical, and scintigraphic characteristics of the SAPHO patients whose skin lesion was PPP or SA.

RESULTS

A total of 249 patients were included (227 affected by PPP and 22 affected by SA). Patients with SA were younger at onset (20, interquartile ranges (IQR) 15-30 vs. 37, IQR 30-46 years old; p < 0.001) and enrollment (35, IQR 25-38 vs. 41, IQR 33-50 years old; p = 0.001), and they had a prolonged disease duration (88.5 months, IQR 18.7-216.0 vs. 16.0, IQR 7.0-48.0 months; p < 0.001) and time needed for diagnosis (7.5, IQR 2.0-19.0 vs. 1.0, IQR 1.0-4.0 years; p < 0.001). Adjusted by age, sex, and disease duration, SA was significantly associated with more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) use (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23, 12.62; p = 0.019) and more sternoclavicular joint involvement (adjusted OR 5.91; 95% CI 1.17, 61.3; p = 0.030) in two separate Firth's logistic regression models.

CONCLUSION

SAPHO patients affected by PPP or SA as the only skin lesion may have different epidemiologic features, osteoarticular manifestations, and treatment history.Key Points• SAPHO patients with PPP or SA were heterogenous in both demographic, clinical, and imaging features.• SAPHO patients with SA were mainly male and had a significantly younger age and longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis.• SA in SAPHO patients was significantly associated with more sternoclavicular involvement and more DMARD use history.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis in association with pyoderma gangraenosum

Background

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare acquired inflammatory skeletal disorder of unknown origin. CRMO was first described by Gideon in 1972 and mainly affects children and young adults of female gender. The CRMO is part of the clinical picture of non-bacterial Osteomyelitis (NBO) and typically presents a relapsing recurring course with both remission and spontaneous exacerbation. CRMO is typically encountered in the limbs and the metaphysis of long bones in particular. Usually the clinical symptoms include painful swellings of the affected regions. This case report describes the rare case of a CRMO of the mandible in association with pyoderma gangraenosum.

Case presentation

A 14-year old female caucasian patient, residing in the south of Germany, presented in the oncological outpatient clinic of our Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in June 2014 complaining of increasing neck pain and progressive swelling at her left cheek ongoing for about 6 weeks. These symptoms had been occurring quarterly for 4 years, but had never been as pronounced. Blood biochemistry showed a moderately elevated CRP (35 mg/l) and a significantly increased blood sedimentation rate (BSR 48/120 mm). The panoramic radiograph, however, revealed a bone alteration in the left mandibular region. Further investigations confirmed the diagnosis of CRMO.

Conclusion

The present case underlines the fact that rare diseases might occasionally present with even more rare symptoms. These occasions can obviously be considered to present a considerable diagnostic challenge.

A case report of severely damaged hip joint caused by SAPHO syndrome treated with 2-stage total hip arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is an increasingly recognized entity. The hip joint is known as a less frequently affected site in SAPHO syndrome, and there has been limited reports about hip joint diseases caused by SAPHO syndrome, and as such adequate treatment for this disease spectrum is still not fully elucidated.

CASE

We describe the case of a 52-year-old man admitted for SAPHO syndrome who went on to be diagnosed with advanced secondary hip arthritis associated with disabling right hip pain. The diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome was delayed; the patient was given a clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis and treated with prolonged courses of antibiotics and open surgical debridement at previous tertiary health facility. The patient underwent 2-stage joint replacement surgery in our hospital. At 1 year after the surgery, he is well, with minimal right hip pain and the prosthesis is functioning well.

CONCLUSION

This case shows the safety and effectiveness of the 2-stage joint replacement in treating destructive hip disease caused by SAPHO syndrome mimicking infectious arthritis.

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis syndrome: a single centre study of a cohort of 164 patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to assess the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of SAPHO syndrome.

METHODS

We recruited all patients presenting to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2004 to 2015 diagnosed with SAPHO syndrome. The medical data, laboratory test results and imaging were collected for all patients.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-four patients (111 women and 53 men) were recruited to our cohort. The mean age of the patients was 40.71 years. Nine patients had osteoarticular symptoms without skin involvement. One hundred and forty-three and 25 patients had palmoplantar pustulosis and severe acne, respectively. Psoriasis vulgaris was accompanied by palmoplantar pustulosis or severe acne in 24 patients. One hundred and sixty-four patients suffered from pain in the anterior chest wall, followed by spine (12 in the cervical region, 36 in the thoracic region and 111 in the lumbosacral region) and peripheral joint (136 patients) involvement. None of the patients had IBD. The hs-CRP level was increased in 70.8% patients. Only 2.4% were HLA-B27 positive. CT scan indicated osteolysis, sclerosis and hyperostosis in the anterior chest wall and spine in SAPHO syndrome patients. The bull-horn sign was the typical characteristic of SAPHO syndrome seen in bone scintigraphy images. One hundred and thirty-one (79.9%), 85 (51.8%), 100 (61%) and 54 (32.9%) patients took NSAIDs, CSs, DMARDs and oral bisphosphonates, respectively.

CONCLUSION

SAPHO syndrome is predominant in middle-age women, characterized by dermatological and osteoarticular manifestations with unknown aetiology. CT scan and bone scintigraphy are useful for diagnosis. There is still no standard treatment to control the disease.

Review article: non-malignant oral manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may present with lesions in their oral cavity. Lesions may be associated with the disease itself representing an extraintestinal manifestation, with nutritional deficiencies or with complications from therapy.

AIM

To review and describe the spectrum of oral nonmalignant manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases [ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD)] and to critically review all relevant data.

METHODS

A literature search using the terms and variants of all nonmalignant oral manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases (UC, CD) was performed in November 2014 within Pubmed, Embase and Scopus and restricted to human studies.

RESULTS

Oral lesions in IBD can be divided into three categories: (i) lesions highly specific for IBD, (ii) lesions highly suspicious of IBD and (iii) nonspecific lesions. Oral lesions are more common in CD compared to UC, and more prevalent in children. In adult CD patients, the prevalence rate of oral lesions is higher in CD patients with proximal gastrointestinal tract and/or perianal involvement, and estimated to range between 20% and 50%. Oral lesions can also occur in UC, with aphthous ulcers being the most frequent type. Oral manifestations in paediatric UC may be present in up to one-third of patients and are usually nonspecific.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral manifestations in IBD can be a diagnostic challenge. Treatment generally involves managing the underlying intestinal disease. In cases presenting with local disabling symptoms and impaired quality of life, local and systemic medical therapy must be considered and/or oral surgery may be required.

Autoinflammatory bone disorders: update on immunologic abnormalities and clues about possible triggers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on the genetics and immunologic basis of autoinflammatory bone disorders including chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis including the monogenic forms of the disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ongoing research in murine, canine and human models of sterile bone inflammation has solidified the hypothesis that sterile bone inflammation can be genetically driven. Mutations in Pstpip2, LPIN2 and IL1RN have been identified in monogenic autoinflammatory bone disorders that have allowed more detailed dissection of the immunologic defects that can produce sterile osteomyelitis. Recent studies in murine chronic multifocal osteomyelitis, deficiency of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA), Majeed syndrome and SAPHO syndrome reveal abnormalities in innate immune system function. IL-1 pathway dysregulation is present in several of these disorders and blocking IL-1 therapeutically has resulted in control of disease in DIRA, Majeed syndrome and in some cases of SAPHO and CRMO. Basic research demonstrates the importance of the innate immune system in disease pathogenesis and offers clues about potential disease triggers.

SUMMARY

Research and clinical data produced over the last several years support the important role of innate immunity in sterile osteomyelitis. Based on what has been learned in the monogenic autoinflammatory bone disorders, IL-1 is emerging as an important pathway in the development of sterile bone inflammation.

The SAPHO syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To review the epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, pathogenesis, and genetics of the syndrome known under the acronym of SAPHO for Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis to heighten awareness of this entity.

METHODS

We conducted a Medline search using SAPHO syndrome, chronic recurrent multifocal osteitis/osteomyelitis, and related terms as keywords and extracted further relevant articles from the retrieved references.

RESULTS

The SAHPO acronym identifies a syndrome encompassing a variety of osteoarticular disorders that are frequently accompanied by dermatoses characterized by neutrophilic pseudoabscesses, but can also occur in isolation. SAPHO syndrome is rare, although probably underrecognized because its diagnosis may be challenging because of the wide variability in its musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations. This is especially true when atypical sites are involved and when specific skin lesions are absent. There are no standardized treatment protocols available. Current treatments are empirical and have the objective of providing relief from the at times debilitating pain associated with SAPHO syndrome. They include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics as first-line agents. Systemic corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, biologicals targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1, and bisphosphonates have all been beneficial in some patients, but ineffective in others. This suggests that the pathogenesis of SAPHO syndrome is multifactorial, but this aspect remains poorly explored, although bacteria and immunological dysfunction are hypothesized to play a role.

CONCLUSIONS

The early recognition, diagnosis, and prompt treatment of SAPHO syndrome can prevent the unnecessary use of long-term antibiotics or invasive procedures, while rapidly alleviating pain in a majority of affected patients.

Autoinflammatory bone disorders

Autoinflammatory bone disorders are characterized by chronic non-infectious osteomyelitis and inflammation-induced bone resorption and result from aberrant activation of the innate immune system. Sporadic chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is the most common disease subtype. The clinical picture is highly variable and the exact underlying pathophysiology remains to be determined. Recently, novel insights in the pathophysiology of sterile bone inflammation have been gathered by analyzing patients with rare, monogenic inflammatory diseases. In this overview CNO and Majeed syndrome, cherubism, hypophosphatasia and primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy will be discussed. For the latter four disorders, a genetic cause affecting bone metabolism and leading to chronic bone inflammation has been described. The exact pathophysiology of CNO remains to be determined. Insights from monogenic autoinflammatory bone diseases and the identification of distinct inflammatory pathways may help to understand the pathogenesis of bone inflammation and inflammation-induced bone resorption in more common diseases.

Non-genomic action of beclomethasone dipropionate on bronchoconstriction caused by leukotriene C4 in precision cut lung slices in the horse

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids have been proven to be effective in the therapy of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses via systemic as well as local (inhalative) administration. Elective analysis of the effects of this drug on bronchoconstriction in viable lung tissue offers an insight into the mechanism of action of the inflammatory cascade occurring during RAO which is still unclear. The mechanism of action of steroids in treatment of RAO is thought to be induced through classical genomic pathways. We aimed at electively studying the effects of the glucocorticoid beclomethasone dipropionate on equine precision-cut lung slices (PCLS).PCLS were used to analyze ex-vivo effects of beclomethasone on inhibiting bronchoconstriction in the horse. The inhibiting effect was measured through instillation of a known mediator of inflammation and bronchoconstriction, leukotriene C4. For this, the accessory lobes of 13 horses subjected to euthanasia for reasons unrelated to the respiratory apparatus were used to obtain viable lung slices.

RESULTS

After 30 minutes of PCLS incubation, beclomethasone showed to significantly inhibit the contraction of the bronchioles after instillation with leukotriene C4. The EC50 values of the two contraction curves (LTC4 with and without BDP) differed significantly from each other (p = 0.002). The possibility of a non-genomic rapid mechanism of action seems likely since transcriptional activities require a longer lag period.

CONCLUSIONS

In human neuroendocrinology, high levels of glucocorticoids have been proven to function via a non-genomic mechanism of membrane receptors. The concentration of beclomethasone used on the lung slices in our study can be considered as high. This allows speculation about similar rapid non-genomic mechanisms of high-dosage inhaled glucocorticoids in the lower airways of horses. However, further assessment on a molecular basis is needed to confirm this.

Osteoporotic characteristics persist in the spine of ovariectomized sheep after withdrawal of corticosteroid administration

A validated ovine model of osteoporosis achieves severe bone loss in a relatively short period. This study investigated if osteoporotic features persist in this model after cessation of corticosteroid administration. Methods. Osteoporosis was induced in nine ewes by chronic corticosteroid injection, ovariectomy, and low calcium diet. Six ewes were used as controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (LS) and body weight were assessed at regular intervals. After five months, corticosteroid treatment was withdrawn systematically over one month. Three months later, all animals were euthanised, and the LS was collected for histomorphometric analysis. Results. BMD in the LS of osteoporotic sheep was 25% lower than control sheep. Body weight of osteoporotic sheep was reduced in the first month of the corticosteroid withdrawal period but returned to baseline level thereafter. Trabecular bone volume of LS in osteoporotic sheep was 27% lower than controls and showed a heterogeneous structure. Conclusions. Osteoporotic characteristics remain in the vertebra after ceasing corticosteroid administration providing an opportunity to evaluate potential systemic or local treatments in vivo under realistic physiological conditions. The microstructural arrangement of vertebral trabecular bone in sheep is similar to humans demonstrating further relevance of this model for preclinical investigations.

Clinical care of children with sterile bone inflammation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current literature of sterile bone inflammation in childhood and to evaluate the evidence for clinical care including diagnostic methods and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Chronic noninfectious osteomyelitis includes several different entities marked by sterile bone inflammation associated with histologic evidence of a predominant neutrophil infiltration in the absence of autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells, some of which are associated with a genetic mutation. Whole body MRI is helpful in detecting asymptomatic lesions. Initial treatment with NSAIDs is usually sufficient to control symptoms as the bone heals. However, if the lesions persist and do not respond to first-line treatment, or involve the spine or hip, treatment with bisphosphonate will usually lead to a resolution of symptoms. Rarely, treatment with anti-TNF agents is required.

SUMMARY

This review summarizes recent information on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of disorders involving sterile bone inflammation in childhood. It also addresses the evolving differential diagnosis for autoinflammatory disorders that include sterile bone inflammation and presents a treatment algorithm for management.

Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis: is infectious causation a moot point?

Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis (CMO) is an uncommon disease entity with descriptions possibly emanating from the medical literature over one century ago, and there are numerous disease entities which have been historically detailed and which are probably synonymous. The illness is one of chronicity with exacerbating and remitting focal bony lesions. The differential diagnosis for a bony lesion which ultimately proves to be CMO is initially quite broad. There is no absolute pathognomonic clinical finding, and the diagnosis is highly dependent on clinical course, histopathology, and an absence of microbial infection. Recent studies have focused on immune dysfunction or dysregulation, and there are now many other diseases which are inflammatory in nature and which have been diagnosed among patients with CMO. Despite the aforementioned, the potential for direct infectious causation or indirect causation by infectious stimulation of immunity cannot be entirely excluded. Infection as a mechanism for pathogenesis must continue to be entertained. Multi-centre studies are key to future research.

Pustulosis palmoplantaris is a disease distinct from psoriasis

Pustulosis palmoplantaris (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a considerable impairment of quality of life and is characterized by sterile pustules and red, scaly skin on the palms and soles. The position of PPP in relation to psoriasis is unclear. Some authors regard PPP as a distinct disease entity, whereas others categorize PPP as a manifestation of psoriasis. Related to this discussion is the question on the treatment of PPP. Should the treatment of PPP follow the guidelines for psoriasis or is it a disease that has to be treated in a different way? The purpose of this editorial is to review the differences between PPP and psoriasis and to understand these differences with respect to the pathogenesis and treatment.

Sonozaki syndrome: case report and review of literature

Sonozaki syndrome--pustulotic arthro-osteitis (PAO) is a relatively rare, chronic illness. This disease belongs to the group of psoriatic arthritis (psoriasis arthropatica, artropatia psoriatica) which in turn belongs to the group of seronegative arthritis. Sonozaki syndrome includes palmoplantar pustulosis, PPP as well as arthro-osteitis. Clinically, symmetrically localised pustulae are observed on feet and hands. Effected joints are painful, swollen with a visible inflammation. Here, we describe a case of a woman aged 55 with a diagnosis of Sonozaki syndrome and hyperthyroidism. At the moment of admission multiple changes in the form of pustulae were observed on hands and soles, filled with pus and blood of the erythemal basis. Oral and genital mucosa were free from changes. The oedema within clavicle and sternum joints was without features of the severe inflammation and tactical tenderness. In additional tests, increased BSR 36/62 was found. Bone scintigraphy-focuses of increased accumulation of MDP-Tc-99 m were found in the sternal projection of the clavicle ends at both sides, and the left-side change is bigger and more strongly saturated and can probably progress to the sternum's manubrium. As a result of the used treatment during hospitalisation, (cyclosporine 3 mg/kg and steroid external therapy upon the skin changes) the improvement of the local changes was observed as well as no progression in the joints' changes. At the moment, the patient is treated in the dermatological and rheumatological out-clinic. Early and correct diagnostics allows for efficient treatment of Sonozaki syndrome and decreases the risk of potential complications, such as the described systemic amyloidosis.

SAPHO syndrome with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint

SAPHO syndrome is a rare combination of different symptoms with unknown aetiology. A complete ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a patient with SAPHO syndrome has not been described previously. The goal of this case report is to present the disease, give an overview about the frequency of mandibular involvement and describe different therapeutic strategies. The complication of an ankylosis of the TMJ is noted and the literature is reviewed. The authors report a 42-year-old patient with SAPHO syndrome and recurrent swelling of the right mandible and the soft tissue. The persisting involvement of the mandible resulted in a complete osseous ankylosis of the right TMJ and required resection with alloplastic replacement of the right condyle. SAPHO syndrome should be suspected in some cases of 'therapy resistant osteomyelitis' of the mandible. Smaller joints, such as the TMJ may also be affected. Treatment of SAPHO syndrome should include antibiotics and NSAIDs; corticosteroids may be helpful. Surgery is the ultimate treatment.

Clinical and radiologic evolution of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome: a single center study of a cohort of 71 subjects

OBJECTIVE

To assess the basic features and outcomes of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome.

METHODS

We identified all patients seen in our unit between 1990 and 2008 diagnosed according to the proposed inclusion criteria with SAPHO syndrome, who had a followup of at least 2 years.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients (48 women, 23 men) with SAPHO syndrome were identified. The median disease duration at the end of followup was 10 years (interquartile range [IQR] 7-15 years), and the median followup duration was 11 years (IQR 6-11.5 years). Six patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Fourteen patients had never had cutaneous involvement, but 8 patients presented >1 skin manifestation. Nine patients (13%) presented a limited (<6 months) monophasic disease course, 25 cases (35%) had a relapsing-remitting course, and 37 patients (52%) had an acute painful phase with a prolonged course lasting >6 months. A total of 4% of the patients were HLA-B27 positive. Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 7.2, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.2-22.9) and the presence at onset of anterior chest wall (ACW) involvement (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.8-18.1), peripheral synovitis (P = 0.0036), skin involvement (OR 10.3, 95% CI 3.4-31.1), and high values of acute-phase reactants (OR 7.7, 95% CI 2.7-22) were correlated with a chronic disease course and involvement of new osteoarticular sites.

CONCLUSION

A chronic course is the more common evolution of SAPHO syndrome. Female sex, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values, ACW involvement, peripheral synovitis, and skin involvement at the onset seem to be associated with a chronic course.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive review

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic, often debilitating disease primarily affecting the axillae, perineum, and inframammary regions. Prevalence rates of up to 4% have been estimated. Our understanding of the disease has changed over time. It is now considered a disease of follicular occlusion rather than an inflammatory or infectious process of the apocrine glands. Clinically, the disease often presents with tender subcutaneous nodules beginning around puberty. The nodules may spontaneously rupture or coalesce, forming painful, deep dermal abscesses. Eventually, fibrosis and the formation of extensive sinus tracts may result. The location of the lesions may lead to social embarrassment and the failure to seek medical treatment. Therapies in the past have consisted of long-term antibiotics, antiandrogens, and surgery. New treatments like tumor necrosis factor-alfa inhibitors have given clinicians more options against this difficult disease.

Auto-inflammatory syndromes and oral health

Auto-inflammatory diseases (periodic syndromes) are rare childhood-onset disorders which are characterized by fluctuating or recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation affecting serosal surfaces, joints, eyes and/or skin without significant autoantibody production or an identifiable underlying infection. They are disorders of innate immunity and the underlying genetic defect has been identified in most of the syndromes. Diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms and evidence of an elevated acute phase response during attacks, supported by finding mutations in the relevant genes. Several syndromes can lead to systemic AA amyloidosis. Aphthous-like oral ulceration has been reported as one manifestation in several of the syndromes, including periodic fever, aphthous-stomatitis, pharyngitis, adenitis (PFAPA) familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome, tumour necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome and pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, acne (PAPA). Chronic jaw recurrent osteomyelitis has been recorded in chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis. Advances in the molecular pathogenesis of these syndromes and the regulation of innate immunity have enhanced diagnosis, and rationalized therapies. This article reviews the periodic fever syndromes relevant to oral health and the suggested association of FMF with Behçet's disease.

Maladie de Crohn et syndrome SAPHO, au cours d’un traitement à l’infliximab : cas clinique et revue de la littérature

We report the case of a 40 year-old Turkish woman with severe ileal Crohn's disease associated with palmoplantar pustulosis and aseptic spondylitis, also known as the SAPHO syndrome. However, in the present case, the syndrome developed three months after starting infliximab (Remicade) therapy, which is generally used to treat the SAPHO syndrome. This case-report discusses the unclear relationship between Crohn's disease, the appearance of a SAPHO syndrome and treatment with infliximab.

[An infrequent presentation of SAPHO syndrome]

We describe a case of SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) with an unusual presentation in a 14 year-old girl with low grade fever which lasts 8 months, left low back pain and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and protein C-reactive with chronic anaemia. A radiograhy of the lower limbs showed a lytic image with osteitis and hyperostose in the right fibula, as a casual finding. This information, in addition to the acne, pustulosis, sternoclavicular arthritis and the studies got from the magnetic resonance image (MR) of spine, pointed out the diagnosis of SAPHO.

[A pregnant woman with a SAPHO syndrome]

The association SAPHO syndrome (Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, Osteitis) and pregnancy is very rare. Only one case is indexed in the literature. We report the case of a pregnancy in a 27-year-old patient with a SAPHO syndrome and we expose its history and its obstetrical, medical and anaesthetic following. Under this multi-field following, there was no evolutionary push of the disease neither during the pregnancy, nor in immediate postpartum. We will expose the different possible treatments during the pregnancy.

A fully dissociated compound of plant origin for inflammatory gene repression

The identification of selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modifiers, which separate transactivation and transrepression properties, represents an important research goal for steroid pharmacology. Although the gene-activating properties of GR are mainly associated with undesirable side effects, its negative interference with the activity of transcription factors, such as NF-kappaB, greatly contributes to its antiinflammatory and immune-suppressive capacities. In the present study, we found that Compound A (CpdA), a plant-derived phenyl aziridine precursor, although not belonging to the steroidal class of GR-binding ligands, does mediate gene-inhibitory effects by activating GR. We demonstrate that CpdA exerts an antiinflammatory potential by down-modulating TNF-induced proinflammatory gene expression, such as IL-6 and E-selectin, but, interestingly, does not at all enhance glucocorticoid response element-driven genes or induce GR binding to glucocorticoid response element-dependent genes in vivo. We further show that the specific gene-repressive effect of CpdA depends on the presence of functional GR, displaying a differential phosphorylation status with CpdA as compared with dexamethasone treatment. The antiinflammatory mechanism involves both a reduction of the in vivo DNA-binding activity of p65 as well as an interference with the transactivation potential of NF-kappaB. Finally, we present evidence that CpdA is as effective as dexamethasone in counteracting acute inflammation in vivo and does not cause a hyperglycemic side effect. Taken together, this compound may be a lead compound of a class of antiinflammatory agents with fully dissociated properties and might thus hold great potential for therapeutic use.

[Chronic infections multifocal osteomyelitis vs chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: with reference to one case]

We present a rare case of chronic infectious multifocal osteomyelitis with affectation symmetric in the both femures in a patient with spondyarthropathic secondary Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The diagnosis was confirmed with culture of the bone biopsy. The aim of this work is the revision of the Chronic Infectious Multifocal Osteomyelitis and the Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis into SAPHO syndrome that both were the possibilities diagnoses.

Acne with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis involving the mandible as part of the SAPHO syndrome: case report

For 12 years, a 26-year-old man had acne conglobata and a non-suppurative diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible as part of a chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of the sternum, the pelvic bones, and the femoral head, and aseptic arthritis of the knee, the fibulotalar, and the sternoclavicular joints. This fulfills the formal criteria of the SAPHO syndrome. Repeated surgical and antibiotic treatment combined with hyperbaric oxygen caused partial improvement. Complete relief and partial disappearance of the scintigraphic lesions was achieved with long-term corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, minocycline, and isotretinoin.