A 9-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of a swollen, painful right ankle and palmoplantar pustular rash. The past medical history was unremarkable. Five months prior to our evaluation she reported an insigni®cant trauma on her right ankle with subsequent important swelling. Standard X-ray showed no fracture. She was diagnosed as having a sprained ankle and immobilised in a plaster cast without signi®cant improvement. The swelling, in fact, persisted and was associated with pain and limp. Results of several laboratory tests showed normal values for haemoglobin, WBC, platelets, CRP and a slight increase in ESR (52 mm/h). One month later, a non-itching dyskeratotic eruption appeared on both palms and soles. The girl was diagnosed as having dyshydrosis probably caused by increased environmental temperature and psychological distress for osteoarticular pain. Despite biofeedback treatment, symptoms persisted unchanged.On admission the clinical examination revealed an important swelling of the external malleolus of the right ankle, with a tumour-like appearance. A limping gait was evident, despite normal tibiotarsal range of motion. There were pustular and dyskeratotic lesions on both palms and soles, particularly on the heels (Fig.1). Body temperature was normal. The dermatological evaluation lead to the diagnosis of palmoplantar pustulosis. Laboratory studies showed normal values for haemoglobin, WBC, platelets, CRP, serum IgG, IgA, IgM, protein electrophoresis and bacterial cultures. A slight increase in ESR (41 mm/h) was present. Tests for antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor were negative. Ophthalmological slit lamp examination was normal. Standard X-ray of the tibiotarsal joint showed a thick epiphyseal dysostosis of the right ®bula, with deformed outlines and enlarged bone diameter. In the same area the MRI revealed an osteomyelitic lesion, with contiguous soft tissues in¯ammation. 99 Tc total body scintiscan demonstrated increased tracer uptake at the right external malleolus, but also at the posterior arch of the second left rib and at the great and small trochanter of the right femur (Fig.2). A bone biopsy of the caput ®bulae showed chronic in¯ammation with lymphomonocytic in®l-trate and moderate intertrabecular ®brosis. There were no signs of acute infection and all microbiological cultures of bone fragments were negative for bacteria and fungi. Fig. 2 99 Tc total body scintiscan showing osteomyelitic foci (arrows) Fig. 1 Palmoplantar pustulosis on both palms and soles