[Headache as a manifestation of SAPHO syndrome with a lesion extending to the dura mater, parietal bone, and temporal muscle]

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome with cranial bone involvement: Case report and literature review

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by osteoarticular and dermatological manifestations. The most common osteoarticular manifestations involve the anterior chest wall, axial skeleton, and long bones. Cranial bone involvement is less reported in SAPHO syndrome. We herein present three cases of SAPHO syndrome with cranial bone involvement, and review the previous literature on similar manifestations. It was revealed that SAPHO syndrome could lead to cranial bone involvement, which could involve the dura mater, leading to hypertrophic pachymeningitis, but the outcome is usually good. Janus kinase inhibitors may be a potential treatment option.

SAPHO Syndrome Presenting With Atlo-Epistrophic Synovitis and Left Vocal Cord Paresis: A Challenging Diagnosis

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) is a rare syndrome mainly characterized by cutaneous and osteoarticular manifestations. The most typical osteoarticular manifestations are localized to the anterior chest wall and include a usually noninfectious osteitis, hyperostosis, and synovitis of the sternoclavicular joints. However, clinical presentation of SAPHO syndrome can be quite heterogeneous. Several clinical and radiological features are shared with other well-defined pathological entities, and clinical signs and symptoms often occur at different timepoints. Mainly due to this complexity and its rarity, there are currently no validated diagnostic criteria for SAPHO syndrome. Inflammation of the soft tissues around the bones and possible nerve compression could contribute to dysphagia, hypophonia, or obstruction of the airways. Neurologic manifestations could therefore be part of this multiorgan involvement. Here, we present a case of SAPHO syndrome with atypical onset symptoms, characterized by left vocal cord paralysis, acute neck pain due to osteolytic atlantoepistrophic lesion, and an unusual cutaneous manifestation, diagnosed as mid-dermal elastolysis. The latest two, to the best of our knowledge, have been here first described in a case of SAPHO syndrome.

A case of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome presenting with hypertrophic pachymeningitis

A 43-year-old woman with a 3-year history of headache, fever, and swelling of the forehead, presented to our hospital. A general examination revealed palmar and plantar pustules. Blood analyses showed an elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Brain MRI revealed a partially thickened cranial bone with gadolinium enhancement, and also abnormally enhanced dura mater. Bone scintigraphy showed involvement of the cranial bone and bilateral sternoclavicular joints. Palmar skin biopsy indicated palmoplantar pustulosis. From these results, SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) syndrome with associated hypertrophic pachymeningitis was diagnosed. After corticosteroid therapy and tonsillectomy, the clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities were improved. Clinicians should be aware of SAPHO as a potential unusual cause of hypertrophic pachymeningitis.