Synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome with significant bilateral pleural effusions

Abstract

We herein report a rare case of a 66-year-old woman who had synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosisosteitis (SAPHO) syndrome with marked sternal osteitis and bilateral pleural effusions. SAPHO syndrome was diagnosed based on the characteristic features of a hyperostotic sternum and thoracic spine. The inflammatory changes of sternal osteitis and involvement of the adjacent soft tissue were assumed to be the cause of the pleural effusions. The effusions decreased during the natural course of the disease and resolved after methotrexate therapy. The pain dramatically decreased with oral tramadol. Physicians should consider the possibility of SAPHO syndrome in patients with anterior chest pain and pleural effusions.