[The SAPHO syndrome: a study of 16 cases].

The SAPHO syndrome is characterized by synovitis, acne, palmo-plantar pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis. SAPHO syndrome has been occasionally described in Spain. We present our experience of 16 cases with the SAPHO syndrome diagnosed between 1984-1995. The predominant clinical symptoms were: anterior thoracic pain (14 cases), sacroiliac pain (7 cases) and peripheral arthritis (2 cases). Cutaneous involvement was characterized by palmo-plantar pustulosis (8 cases) acne (3 cases) and psoriasis (2 cases). The histocompatibility antigen B27 was negative in all cases. A computerized tomographic study revealed involvement of sterno-costo-clavicular and manubriosternal joints (14 cases) and sacroiliitis (8 cases).