A Rare Case of Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis (ICH) of the Bilateral Tibia or Caffey Disease
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Hard Tilva1, Ankita Kanjiya2, Roshan Umate3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research, Wardha, IND.
Insights
Infantile cortical hyperostosis (ICH), or Caffey disease, causes subperiosteal bone hyperplasia in infants. This case highlights early leg swelling and irritability, confirmed by X-ray, requiring monitoring and anti-inflammatory treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Infantile cortical hyperostosis (ICH), also known as Caffey disease, is an inflammatory condition affecting infants.
- It is characterized by subperiosteal bone hyperplasia, primarily impacting long bones.
Observation:
- A 10-day-old male infant presented with leg swelling, crying, and irritability.
- Radiological examination revealed bilateral tibial anterior cortical hyperostosis, more pronounced on the right.
- A similar tibial thickening recurred at 10 weeks of age.
Findings:
- The infant received clinical monitoring, analgesics, and NSAIDs.
- Symptoms of swelling and pain resolved within 1.5 weeks of hospitalization.
- Continued outpatient follow-up was recommended for disease correction.
Implications:
- Early recognition of ICH/Caffey disease is crucial for appropriate management.
- Clinical-radiological correlation is essential for accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
- This case underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and management of infantile cortical hyperostosis.
Abstract:
An inflammatory collagenopathy of infancy characterized by subperiosteal bone hyperplasia is known as infantile cortical hyperostosis (ICH) or Caffey disease. A 10-day male infant presented to the hospital with leg swelling, excessive crying, and irritability since birth. He was born with the swallowed part of his tibia bone. The X-ray suggested hyperostosis of the bilateral tibia bone involving the anterior cortex, which is more prominent on the right side. The infant was clinically monitored and treated and discharged after the swelling was reduced. Again, he was admitted to the hospital at 10 weeks of life, and a similar thickening appeared on his left tibia. He was administered analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and discharged under a follow-up schedule. The infant was monitored in the pediatric ward for the next seven days. The swelling and pain completely subsided one and a half weeks after hospitalization, and continued follow-up was suggested until the complete correction of the disease on an outpatient basis. This disease must be recognized and understood, and the clinical-radiological correlation is significant.
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