Abstract
The authors present two cases of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome with rapidly progressing destructive spondylitis treated surgically. The spinal lesions in SAPHO syndrome generally have a good prognosis and rarely cause the structural destruction or neurological deterioration. Case 1: a 63-year-old female had palmoplantar pustulosis for 2 years. At first, she only felt a pain in the nape with no inducing factor. Two months later, she had incomplete quadriplegia (ASIA scale C). Magnetic resonance imaging showed destruction of C4-C7, kyphotic deformity, and severe compression of the spinal cord. Decompression and reconstruction surgery using anterior and posterior approach improved her paralysis. Case 2: a 69-year-old female complained of persistent back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spondylitis of T7-T9. Although there were no typical skin lesions, we diagnosed SAPHO syndrome by hyperostosis of the sternocostoclavicular joint and sacral joint. Destruction with kyphotic deformity of the spine progressed gradually for 3 months. Curettage and reconstruction surgery using thoracic endoscope relieved her pain and prevented the destruction of the spine. The histopathology of the specimen obtained surgically showed non-specific inflammation in both cases. Spondylitis in SAPHO syndrome may cause severe destruction and kyphotic deformity followed by paralysis.