Case reports: aseptic femoral osteitis and sternocostal hyperostosis from SAPHO syndrome

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome are characterized by peculiar bone lesions that commonly involve the anterior chest wall. Osteitis typically is the most prominent skeletal lesion seen in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome. We present a patient with aseptic femoral osteitis and sternocostal hyperostosis. The classic clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of this syndrome are described. Diagnosis is difficult in patients with only one symptomatic bone. The lesion often is confused with suppurative osteomyelitis because of similar clinicopathologic findings. Although the optimal treatment is unclear, it is important to consider synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome in the differential diagnosis of any lytic, sclerotic, or hyperostotic bone lesion to avoid unnecessary long-term antibiotic therapy.