If you look at the top image of the X-ray, you will notice that the patient’s Left clavicle is about 2 times the size of the patient’s right clavicle. This is what happens in SAPHO Syndrome, along with many other signs and symptoms. SAPHO Syndrome stands for Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis.
This is an extremely rare condition, and luckily enough, I was on a clinic shift this morning with a patient who had been previously diagnosed with this condition. Everything fit, except the acne/pustulosis. But he patient described having “fits” where his left clavicle would enlarge dramatically for 2-3 weeks, and then it would regress. He mentioned that it started out as a small nodule on the surface of the clavicle, then over the course of a couple weeks would increase dramatically, where the tissues even around the clavicle would feel as hard as bone. He experienced numbness and tingling into the affected hand (left arm and hand), which mimics thoracic outlet syndrome signs and symptoms. He did not report having difficulty breathing or increased dizziness or palpitations, which would not be surprising if he did.
This is a very interesting condition, which has an unknown source of origin or unknown etiology. Particularly for this condition, gut inflammation takes a front seat. The patient was put on an anti-inflammatory diet and signs and symptoms greatly reduced, interestingly enough. This puts an emphasis on the great ability for naturopathic treatment modalities to excel in a disease that is rare, has inflammatory component, and no origin is known.
Do you know anyone with this condition? Please share your experiences.
If you look at the top image of the X-ray, you will notice that the patient’s Left clavicle is about 2 times the size of the patient’s right clavicle. This is what happens in SAPHO Syndrome, along with many other signs and symptoms. SAPHO Syndrome stands for Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis.
This is an extremely rare condition, and luckily enough, I was on a clinic shift this morning with a patient who had been previously diagnosed with this condition. Everything fit, except the acne/pustulosis. But he patient described having “fits” where his left clavicle would enlarge dramatically for 2-3 weeks, and then it would regress. He mentioned that it started out as a small nodule on the surface of the clavicle, then over the course of a couple weeks would increase dramatically, where the tissues even around the clavicle would feel as hard as bone. He experienced numbness and tingling into the affected hand (left arm and hand), which mimics thoracic outlet syndrome signs and symptoms. He did not report having difficulty breathing or increased dizziness or palpitations, which would not be surprising if he did.
This is a very interesting condition, which has an unknown source of origin or unknown etiology. Particularly for this condition, gut inflammation takes a front seat. The patient was put on an anti-inflammatory diet and signs and symptoms greatly reduced, interestingly enough. This puts an emphasis on the great ability for naturopathic treatment modalities to excel in a disease that is rare, has inflammatory component, and no origin is known.
Do you know anyone with this condition? Please share your experiences.
References:
http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00103-X–s0050&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=1227912192&uniqId=289300576-6#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00103-X–s0050