Vertebral destruction with sever pain in the SAPHO syndrome

A 57-year-old man had for the past 18 months complained of recurrent, recently worsening, belt-like backache radiating ventrally. On admission a skin rash consisting of blister and pustules was noted on the palms of both hands. He had pain on pressure over the right upper abdomen, an enlarged prostate and definite pain on percussing the vertebral column with restricted movement of the thoracic vertebral column, but no other physical signs. Radiology revealed clearly increased sclerosis of several thoracic vertebrae with osteolytic destruction and a paravertebral soft tissue tumor. Search for a primary tumor was unsuccessful. Bone scintigraphy demonstrated nuclide enrichment of the thoracic vertebrae and of the sternoclavicular joints without increase in the LeukoScan. These findings indicated the diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome (synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteomyelitis). Rapid subjective and objective improvement followed the administration of clindamycin and ibuprofen. In case of bone pain of uncertain aetiology, especially when associated with skin rash, the rare SAPHO syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis, avoiding lengthy diagnostic steps and allowing early treatment.