SAPHO syndrome in an adult with ulcerative colitis responsive to intravenous pamidronate

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis ( SAPHO) syndrome is a rare group of sterile, inflammatory osteoarticular disorders classically associated with skin lesions. It is occasionally associated with enteropathic disease such as ulcerative colitis. We present a 39-year-old patient with chronic ulcerative colitis who developed enteropathic SAPHO and responded well to pamidronate. We discuss the clinicopathological features with particular attention to bone pathology, and perform a literature review of this fascinating syndrome. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of the Societe Francaise de Rhumatologie.