Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis (SAPHO) Syndrome with Destructive Spondylitis: A Case Report

Spinal lesions in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome generally have a good prognosis and rarely cause structural destruction or neurological deterioration. We described a surgical case of posterior instrumented surgery without anterior reconstruction and bone graft in a patient with SAPHO syndrome with destructive spondylitis and reviewed the literature on surgical treatment for this entity.

We describe the case of a 73-year-old male who presented with palmoplantar pustulosis. He experienced progressive low back and leg pain for the past 3 months. Destructive spondylitis and lumbar canal stenosis were detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and aspiration biopsy was used to exclude pyogenic spondylitis and spinal tumors. He underwent posterior decompression and fixation surgery without anterior reconstruction and bone grafting. Low back and leg pain improved after surgery. Postoperative radiography and computed tomography showed boney bridge between vertebral bodies, and MRI showed the decrease of bone marrow edema.

Posterior fusion without anterior reconstruction produced a bony bridge between the vertebral bodies. Taking the pathophysiology of SAPHO syndrome into consideration, anterior reconstructed fusion for patients with SAPHO syndrome might not be needed.