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SAPHO syndrome — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardPregnancy in rheumatic disease and rare conditionsSAPHO syndromeSCE Rheumatology

A patient has palmoplantar pustulosis, recurrent anterior chest-wall pain and sternoclavicular hyperostosis with sterile osteitis on imaging. What is the diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome

The combination of synovitis, pustulosis, hyperostosis and sterile osteitis—especially at the anterior chest wall—is characteristic of SAPHO. Infection and malignancy must be excluded when the imaging or clinical course is atypical.

Reference: Rheumatology Advances in Practice: SAPHO syndrome and chronic non-bacterial osteitis (Published November 2024): https://academic.oup.com/rheumap/article/8/4/rkae114/7822209; Orphanet: SAPHO syndrome (Current rare-disease monograph, accessed 30 July 2026): https://www.orpha.net/en/disease/detail/793