LAUSR

SAPHO syndrome is considered to be an autoimmune disorder involving the skin and bone; it is an autoinflammatory disease associated with a group of syndromes consisting of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteosis [1]. The main features of SAPHO syndrome include cutaneous and osteoarticular manifestations. Osteoarticular manifestations are more common in the anterior thoracic wall, including the sternoclavicular joint and sternocostal joint, followed by the spine. The typical radiological finding is the “bull’s head sign” [2, 3]. Palmoplantar pustulosis is the most common skin involvement of SAPHO, followed by facial acne and suppurative sweat adenitis [4]. The pathogenesis of the disease is unclear, and may be related to genetics, immunity, infection, and other factors. Biological agents to treat the disease are safe and effective [5, 6]. The differential diagnosis includes tumour bone metastasis, bone infection, psoriatic arthritis, mandatory spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and normal rib calcification. Our patient was treated with 40 mg adalimumab injection subcutaneously, once a month, in addition to anti-arthritis and anti-infection treatment. On Day 5 of the treatment, the patient’s facial acne quickly resolved and subsided; on Day 7, the symptoms of joint pain were significantly relieved.