An aseptic inflammation of the clavicle in a patient with Crohn's disease. A potential manifestation of the SAPHO syndrome.

A female patient with Crohn's disease developed an septic osteoarticular involvement of the left clavicle and sterno- and acromioclavicular regions. Repeated surgical revisions combined with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment could not prevent the progress of the disease. However, the patient started to improve after the diagnosis of the SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteomyelitis) syndrome was made and the dose of her immunosuppressive therapy increased. This patient reminds of the existence of extraintestinal aseptic infections in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moreover, it may provide further evidence on the significant association between SAPHO and IBD.