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Caffey’s Syndrome (Infantile cortical hyperostosis)



- See: Alkaline Phosphatase

- Discussion:
    - disease of unknown etiology affecting skeleton & adjacent tissues;
    - characterized by fever, rirritability, swelling of soft tissues, & cortical bone thickening;
    - thickening of jaw & forearm are the most common sites, but occassionally lesion is diffuse;
            - mandibular involvement is characteristic;
            - in extremities, the ulna is frequently invovled;
    - w/ exception of mandible, single bone involvement is suggestive of trauma rather than Caffey's Disease;
    - iatrogenic cause:
           - may result from intravenous prostaglandins used to treat neonatal congenital heart defects;

- Labs:
    - sed rate & serum Alk Phos are often elevated, but cultures and serologic studies fail to show an infectious agent;

- Radiographs:
    - reveal perioseal rxn involving any bone except vertbrae & phalanges