[Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible and SAPHO syndrome]

Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible (DSOM) and SAPHO (synovitis, acne, palmo-plantar pustulosis and psoriasis, hyperosteosis, osteitis) syndrome are not commonly associated. SAPHO has not been described to date in the stomatology and maxillo-facial surgery literature in French. Were report here a homogeneous series of 12 patients with DSOM.

All patients had mandibular osteitis.

Five patients with multifocal osteitis wre considered to present SAPHO syndrome because of the associated skin lesions. One patient with a unique focus of mandibular osteitis and palmo-plantar pustulosis probably had early-stage SAPHO syndrome. The diagnosis in the other cases was diffuse sclerosis osteitis of the mandible.

We compared our series with those reported in the literature, emphasizing diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible should be distinguished from microbial osteitis. Early diagnosis is required to avoid successive and unnecessary dental avulsions. There is a possible link between DSOM and SAPHO and all patients should have a complete work-up including whole-body scintigraphy to search for other foci. A biopsy is indicated to rule out malignancy. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can improve patient comfort in this particularly long syndrome. Although the efficacy is demonstrated, surgery and antibiotics can only delay relapse for a few months.