PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED SYNDROME OF SPONDYLOMETAPHYSEAL DYSPLASIA, OSTEOCARTILAGINOUS METAPLASIA OF LONG BONES, AND PROGRESSIVE OSTEOLYSIS OF DISTAL PHALANGES

We present the findings and clinical course of a Caucasian woman (now age 231/2) who has been treated since early childhood for a previously undescribed syndrome of painful osteocartilaginous metaplasia of long bone metaphyses and painful distal phalangeal osteolysis and soft tis sue swelling. Despite extensive evaluations and attempts at effective treatment, the cause and pathogenesis of her unique musculoskeletal di sorder remain elusive. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.