Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) (Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome): two cases presenting as acute inflammatory arthritis. Description and review of the literature

We report the cases of two middle-aged male smokers who presented to the early synovitis clinic with an acute phase response, synovitis of the wrists and ankles and clubbing of the fingers, but no respiratory symptoms. Both proved to have primary lung tumours with hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy, in one case resolving promptly with treatment of the carcinoma. We review the literature, including theories on pathogenesis.