SAPHO SYNDROME

Palmoplantar pustulosis and severe acne are sometimes associated with peculiar aseptic skeletal conditions, but such skeletal lesions can be found without skin lesions, The term SAPHO syndrome has been coined f or this cluster of manifestations, (The acronym SAPHO refers to synovi tis, acne, palmoplantar pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis,) The m ost common site of the disease is the upper anterior chest wall, chara cterized by predominantly osteosclerotic lesions, hyperostosis, and ar thritis of the adjacent joints, Osteosclerosis of the vertebral bodies , hyperostosis, and erosions of the vertebral plates can be encountere d, Unilateral sacroiliitis is frequently observed, Long bone involveme nt consists of osteosclerosis or osteolysis with periosteal new bone f ormation, Peripheral arthritis can be present but is rarely associated with joint destruction, The pathogenesis of this syndrome remains unk nown, but a link with seronegative spondyloarthropathies is probable, Radiologists should be aware of this unusual syndrome to avoid misdiag nosis (eg, tumor, infection), unnecessary surgery, and antibiotic ther apy.